Seven Injured in Three-Car Crash in Apple Valley

Seven people were injured—one critically—in a three-car collision at the intersection of McAndrews Road and Garden View Drive on Saturday afternoon, according to the Apple Valley Police Department.

The accident occurred around 2:30 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, when a 2003 Dodge Caravan with six occupants ran a red light while traveling southbound on Garden View, according to Apple Valley Police Captain Michael Marben.

The caravan, operated by a local group home in Apple Valley, was struck on the driver's side by a 2004 Jeep Liberty traveling westbound on McAndrews. The impact momentum pushed the vehicles into a third car waiting in a turn lane at the intersection, Marben said.

The female driver of the Caravan—an employee of the group home—was airlifted from the scene, Marben said. The remaining five minivan occupants, which included four group home residents and one additional employee, also sustained less severe injuries.

The driver of the Jeep Liberty was also injured, Marben said. Three occupants in the third vehicle, a 2002 Ford Windstar, were uninjured.

All occupants involved in the crash are Apple Valley residents, Marben said. Police have not yet identified the victims.

At this point, there is no indication that drugs or alcohol were a factor in the collision, Marben said. Everyone involved in the accident was wearing a seatbelt.

The speed limit on that stretch of McAndrews Road is 45 mph, Marben added.

The Apple Valley Police and Fire Departments, Allina Medical Transportation the Minnesota State Patrol and the Burnsville Fire Department all responded to the scene.

The state patrol will complete an accident reconstruction as part of its investigation, Marben said.

Correction: This article has been changed to correct an inaccuracy. The Dodge Caravan was traveling southbound on Garden View Drive.