Five-Vehicle Chain-Reaction Crash on Highway 77 in Apple Valley
Published: August 21, 2026
APPLE VALLEY, MINNESOTA - A five-vehicle chain-reaction crash caused an early-morning emergency response along northbound Highway 77 in Apple Valley on Friday, though authorities say no injuries were reported.
According to information provided by the Minnesota State Patrol, troopers were dispatched at approximately 6:46 a.m. on Thursday, August 20, to the crash on northbound Highway 77, also known as Cedar Avenue, near 127th Street (Palomino Drive). The State Patrol said all five vehicles involved were traveling northbound in the left lane when traffic ahead of them suddenly slowed.
According to investigators, the lead vehicle, a Ram 1500 pickup truck, slowed quickly after another vehicle entered the left lane in front of it. That slowdown led to a series of rear-end collisions involving the vehicles traveling behind the Ram.
Five Vehicles Involved in Chain-Reaction Crash
The State Patrol said a Ford Transit van collided with a Ford F-150 in a rear-end crash. The force of that collision pushed the F-150 forward and into the rear of the Ram 1500. The collisions continued behind those vehicles when a BMW sedan rear-ended the Ford Transit van.
A Subaru Legacy, traveling behind the BMW, then rear-ended the BMW, according to the State Patrol. In total, five vehicles were involved in the chain-reaction crash: the Ram 1500, Ford F-150, Ford Transit van, BMW sedan and Subaru Legacy.
Despite the number of vehicles involved, no injuries were reported at the scene, according to the State Patrol. The Ford Transit van and BMW sustained enough damage that both vehicles had to be towed from the scene.
Multiple Agencies Respond
In addition to Minnesota State Patrol troopers, the Apple Valley Police Department, Apple Valley Fire Department and Allina Health responded to the crash. The collision occurred during the Thursday morning commute along Highway 77, a major north-south route through Apple Valley and the southern Twin Cities metro, which is also currently undergoing a major multi-year MnDOT construction project in portions of Apple Valley and Eagan that has closed the left lane.
The Minnesota State Patrol is handling the crash investigation.
Written by: Will Wight
