Three Injured After Semi Rear Ends Cars on I-35W Near Cliff Road

One person has been severely injured in a four-vehicle pileup on Interstate 35W near Cliff Road that occurred during the late morning on Wednesday. 

Lt. Eric Roeske said the crash began just after 11 a.m where the northbound lanes of I-35W merge into an interchange at Cliff Road, just south of maintenance project taking place on the bridge spanning the Minnesota River. According to Roeske, the crash was touched off by a semi tractor trailer, which rear ended three passenger cars that had slowed due to a lane closure ahead.

"The driver of the semi apparently didn't recognize the fact that traffic was slowing, and he rear ended all three vehicles," Roeske said at a press junket this afternoon.

The three vehicles involved were a PT Cruiser,  Toyota Camry and  a Nissan Sentra. The driver of the Camry was most severely injured. He or she has been transported to the hospital with very serious injuries. The two other drivers, of the PT Cruise and Nissan Sentra, were transported with non-life threatening injuries.

The truck driver was not injured in the crash. So far, the driver has not been cited. Roeske said the crash is still under investigation.

"It certainly highlights the fact that any time there's a maintenance or construction project, drivers need to anticipate the fact that there could be unexpected slowdowns or congestion," Roeske said. "They need plenty of following distance between them and other vehicles."

The identities of those involved will be released at a later time. At press time, Roeske did not have a timetable for when the interstate would be completely clear. Roeske estimated that it would likely be an hour or two.

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Posted at 12:15 a.m. on Wednesday: Emergency services have been called out to the northbound lanes of Interstate 35 West after a multi-car crash, that occurred around 11:30 a.m. Both KSTP and the Pioneer Press report that two lanes on the northbound side have been closed. Details are few at this point. Thus far, the Minnesota State Patrol has released little information, though they are calling the crash a "serious injury incident" at this point. This is a developing story. Check back for more information.