A late-night drive across Minneapolis’ Third Avenue Bridge turned deadly early Sunday when a southbound car crossed the centerline and slammed into an oncoming vehicle, killing one driver and shutting down a major river crossing just after midnight.
The collision happened around 12:53 a.m., according to the Minneapolis Police Department, as reported by KSTP. Investigators say a southbound Ford Taurus drifted or swerved into the northbound lane of the Third Avenue Bridge and struck a GMC Denali carrying three people. Authorities have not yet said what caused the Taurus to cross the centerline, and the crash remains under active investigation.
Busy River Span Now A Crash Scene
The Third Avenue Bridge, listed as Bridge 2440, underwent a major rehabilitation and reopened in 2023, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Since then, it has served as a primary downtown crossing and a key pedestrian detour while nearby bridges are under construction, making it a heavily used river span where any crash can quickly ripple through vehicle, bike, and foot traffic along the riverfront.
Driver Dies At Scene, Investigation Ongoing
Police told KSTP that the driver of the Ford Taurus was pronounced dead at the scene. The three occupants of the GMC Denali reported that they were wearing seat belts and were not injured…