EDINA, Hennepin County, Minn., Oct. 10, 2026 — A 63-year-old man was critically injured on Thursday afternoon, October 8, when a car drifted onto the shoulder of westbound Highway 62 and struck him as he stood outside his vehicle, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. The crash involved three vehicles near the Xerxes Avenue interchange in Edina.
State Patrol records show a white Toyota Camry traveling west on Highway 62 crossed the lane lines and moved onto the shoulder, where it hit the man while he stood outside a 2007 Chrysler 300. Road conditions were dry at the time.
The man, a Saint Paul resident, was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center with what the Patrol described as life-threatening injuries. The drivers of the other two vehicles, a 74-year-old Eden Prairie man and a 31-year-old Edina man, were not injured.
The State Patrol said its information on the crash is believed to be complete, though the investigation into how the Camry left its lane remains open. No further details have been released.
We hope for strength and healing for those hurt in this collision.
What Actually Cuts Down Crashes Where Cars Merge or Drift Off the Road
Highway shoulders and merge points see a disproportionate share of serious crashes for a simple reason: they are where vehicle paths cross or come close with little separation and usually no barrier. A car drifting even a few feet out of its lane can meet another vehicle, or a person outside one, with almost no time to react. Engineers have found that physical separation, not just paint, is what actually keeps lanes distinct.
Rumble strips cut into the shoulder or centerline are one of the most effective low-cost fixes, because they alert a drifting driver through sound and vibration before a crash happens. Wider shoulders, better lighting, and clearer lane markings also help drivers correct course earlier. Where crashes cluster at a specific interchange or merge area, some states have added barriers or redesigned the merge geometry to give drivers more room and more time to adjust.
Driver behavior still matters alongside road design. Fatigue, distraction, and momentary inattention are common factors in lane-drift crashes, and they are also the hardest to engineer around. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an estimated 2,442,581 people were injured in traffic crashes in 2023, a reminder that the risk at merges and shoulders is a steady, ongoing one rather than a rare event.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do weather and road conditions affect crash risk?
Wet, icy, or snow-covered pavement reduces traction and increases stopping distance, raising the odds a vehicle will drift or slide out of its lane. Even on dry roads, as in this crash, drifting can happen due to distraction or fatigue rather than road surface alone.
What should someone do right after a car accident?
Call 911, move to a safe location away from traffic if possible, and avoid standing between vehicles or along an active roadway shoulder. Exchange information with other drivers and wait for law enforcement to document the scene.
Where do most traffic crashes happen?
A large share of serious crashes occur on highways and at merge points, where speed differences are greatest, and drivers have little room to correct an error. Shoulders and interchange areas carry particular risk when a vehicle unexpectedly leaves its lane.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Edina, MN
If you're involved in or witness a crash in Edina, the priority is safety: get as far from moving traffic as possible, including off the shoulder, since a stopped vehicle there remains exposed to passing cars. Call 911 right away so officers and medical help can respond.
Even if injuries seem minor, a medical evaluation is worth getting, since some injuries from a vehicle strike aren't obvious right away. Keep any paperwork from police or medical providers, and follow up with your insurer once you've been checked out. Giving yourself time to recover, physically and otherwise, matters as much as the practical steps.
