Unlicensed Driver Went 100 MPH Before Deadly Minneapolis Crash: Police

MINNEAPOLIS — An unlicensed driver was going 100 MPH before he caused a deadly seven-car crash off Interstate 94 in Minneapolis on Wednesday night, according to authorities.

The crash left 26-year-old Natalie Gubbay dead and eight others injured. Among those hurt was a 2-year-old boy.

Talon Covie-Cardrell Walker, 29, of St. Paul was charged with one count of criminal vehicular homicide in the crash. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.

Walker had his license revoked on June 17, 2021, for refusing a breath or chemical test as part of a DUI investigation, authorities said.

Walker may have been under the influence of alcohol during Wednesday's crash, according to investigators. Troopers found an open, partially full bottle of liquor on the driver’s side floorboard of Walker's vehicle, the criminal complaint states.

On Oct. 23 at about 9:15 pm, Minnesota State Patrol troopers responded to a crash off an exit ramp from I-94 near downtown Minneapolis.

Troopers at the scene found numerous cars with significant damage and multiple people injured.

The crash occurred after Walker's Chevy Avalanche sped down the exit from I-94 East heading down Lyndale Avenue toward Dunwoody Boulevard, authorities said.

As Walker approached Dunwoody Boulevard — going around 100 MPH — he sideswiped another SUV on the road, then crashed directly into the back of a Jeep Cherokee vehicle, according to the criminal complaint. The driver of the Jeep died.

The Jeep Cherokee was pushed into the back of a Ford Edge vehicle, which was pushed into the back of a Nissan Versa vehicle, which was pushed into the back of a Toyota RAV4 vehicle, which then struck an Audi Q5 vehicle, authorities said.

The force of the crash caused two of the cars to be pushed 180 degrees sideways, according to investigators.