Minneapolis, MN (September 10, 2026) – One man died, and another person was hurt on Wednesday morning, September 9, after a multi-vehicle crash sent a car into a building on East Lake Street in south Minneapolis, authorities said.
Officers responded to the intersection of East Lake Street and Fourth Avenue South at about 9:45 a.m. for a crash involving several vehicles and a building, according to the Minneapolis Police Department. Authorities said preliminary information indicates one vehicle struck a second vehicle before crashing into a building. That second vehicle then struck a third vehicle, police said.
First responders performed life-saving measures on the driver of the first vehicle at the scene, but he died there, according to authorities. The driver of the second vehicle suffered injuries described as not life-threatening and was taken to Abbott Northwestern Hospital for treatment. No other injuries were reported, police said.
The crash remains under investigation. Authorities have not released the names of those involved or said what led up to the initial collision.
We offer our deepest sympathy to the family of the victim.
Who Faces the Greatest Danger When Vehicles Crash Into Buildings
Crashes that end with a vehicle striking a storefront or structure often hurt the people inside that vehicle the hardest, especially a driver in the first car struck in a chain-reaction collision. The initial impact can leave little space between the driver and the point of collision, whether that point is another vehicle or a fixed wall.
People on foot near sidewalks, bus stops, or building entrances also face risk in these events, since a vehicle that leaves the roadway can cross areas meant for pedestrians. Drivers and passengers in secondary vehicles struck after the first impact are also commonly injured, though often less severely than occupants of the vehicle that strikes the building directly.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 17,008 motor-vehicle crash deaths occurred outside passenger vehicles in crashes involving passenger vehicles in 2023. That figure reflects how many people hurt or killed in these crashes are not seated inside the vehicles involved, a pattern relevant anywhere vehicles travel through busy commercial corridors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are multi-vehicle crashes harder to investigate than single-car wrecks?
Investigators have to establish the order of impacts and each driver’s speed and position before the first collision, which takes longer when three or more vehicles and possibly a building are involved.
What typically causes a chain-reaction crash like this one?
Common factors include one driver losing control, a mechanical failure, or a medical emergency that leads to an initial impact, which then causes a vehicle to collide with nearby vehicles.
Can drivers do anything to avoid getting caught in a pile-up?
Leaving extra following distance, staying alert near intersections, and watching for vehicles that appear to be swerving or slowing unexpectedly can reduce the chance of being pulled into a chain-reaction crash.
What to Do After a Multi-Vehicle Crash in Minneapolis, Minnesota
If you’re involved in a crash with more than one vehicle, call 911 right away and stay where it’s safe to wait for help. Even if you feel fine, ask to be checked by paramedics, since injuries from a sudden impact aren’t always obvious right away.
Get the names and contact information of any other drivers and witnesses if you’re able, and take photos of the scene if it’s safe to do so. Once you’re clear of the immediate scene, follow up with your own doctor in the days after, and keep a record of the police report number for your files.
