I-35W Crash: Girl, 3, Boy, 4, Fighting For Their Lives

ARDEN HILLS, MN — A 3-year-old girl and 4-year-old boy are fighting for their lives at the Hennepin County Medical Center after a crash involving five vehicles on Interstate 35W in Arden Hills Thursday. A third child, who suffered non-life threatening injuries in the collision, was also hospitalized.

The incident took place at 12:19 p.m. at northbound I-35W just before Interstate 694 in Arden Hills. The crash involved two commercial vehicles and three passenger cars.

The crash:

During stop-and-go traffic, a 2012 Volvo semi rear-ended a 2006 Chrysler Town & Country minivan, which was carrying three young children, according to the Minnesota State Patrol (MSP). The Volvo pushed the minivan into a 2012 Ford semi. The Ford then hit a 2002 Kenworth semi.

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The back of the minivan then swung out towards the center lane, striking a 2002 Chevy Tahoe.

Shanea Emmons, 3, of Fridley, suffered a life-threatening injury. Grayson Newman, 4, also suffered a life-threatening injury.

Dahnaya Ramsey, 4, suffered a non-life threatening injury, according to MSP. All three children were hospitalized at HCMC. They were all buckled in at the time of the crash.

The drivers of all three semis and the minivan suffered non-life threatening injuries but were not hospitalized. Alcohol was not a factor in the crash, MSP said.

The crash lead to major backups and delays in I-35W for much of Thursday afternoon, until the scene was cleared.

Images via Minnesota State Patrol