MINNEAPOLIS, Hennepin County, Minn., Sept. 29, 2026 — Three people died and four others were hospitalized early Tuesday, September 29, after a car collided with a semi-truck near the University of Minnesota. The crash happened at the exit to SE 4th Street from the Interstate 35W ramp in the Marcy-Holmes neighborhood, several blocks from campus.
The car involved was reportedly a Hyundai Elantra with Colorado plates carrying seven occupants, according to a report citing investigators. Three of them were pronounced dead at the scene. The other four were taken to an area hospital. The semi driver was not hurt, according to the report.
The crash happened at about 4:12 a.m. The Elantra reportedly became wedged beneath the semi and remained there for several hours as crews worked the scene.
Police have not released the names of those killed and have not said what led up to the crash.
The crash remains under investigation. We are deeply sorry for the losses suffered by the victims' families.
Why a Crash Between a Car and a Semi Does So Much Damage
The severity of a crash between a passenger car and a semi-truck often comes down to weight, not speed alone. A loaded semi can weigh 20 to 30 times what a sedan weighs, so even a moderate speed difference produces a closing force the smaller vehicle's frame is not built to absorb. The car's crumple zones and airbags are designed around collisions with vehicles of similar mass, not a trailer or undercarriage.
Where the impact lands matters too. A car that strikes the side or rear of a trailer can slide underneath it, a scenario known as underride, bypassing the bumper and crumple zones entirely and reducing what little protection those systems offer.
Impairment raises the odds that a crash like this turns fatal rather than survivable, because slowed reaction time and reduced hazard perception cut the driver's ability to brake, steer around, or avoid the collision altogether. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 4 percent of large-truck drivers involved in fatal crashes had blood alcohol concentrations of .08 g/dL or higher in 2023. Whether impairment played a role in this crash has not been determined.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does impairment factor into fatal crashes involving trucks?
Impairment, whether from alcohol, drugs, or fatigue, is a factor investigators routinely check in fatal crashes because it slows reaction time and reduces a driver's ability to avoid a collision.
Where do fatal car-and-truck crashes tend to happen?
They cluster on highway ramps, interchanges, and merge points where speed differences between vehicles are greatest and lane changes happen quickly.
What makes a crash more likely to be fatal?
Higher speed, a large weight difference between vehicles, and the point of impact all raise the chance a crash proves fatal rather than survivable.
How much does speed affect the odds of surviving a crash?
Even modest increases in speed raise crash forces sharply, since the energy involved rises with the square of speed, not in a straight line.
What to Do After a Car-Semi Crash in Minneapolis, MN
If you're involved in or witness a crash between a car and a large truck, call 911 immediately and stay clear of traffic lanes. Do not attempt to move a vehicle that is pinned or wedged under another.
Get checked by a medical provider even if you feel fine at the scene, since some injuries from a high-force collision don't show symptoms right away. Ask responding officers how to obtain a copy of the official crash report once it's filed, and keep any photos or notes from the scene for your records.
