Multiple Injured Following Serious Three-Vehicle Crash at County Road 42 and Portland in Burnsville
Published: March 23, 2026
BURNSVILLE, MN: Emergency crews responded late Monday morning to a serious multi-vehicle crash at the intersection of County Road 42 and Portland Avenue in Burnsville that left several people injured.
At approximately 11:40 a.m. on March 23, 2026, Burnsville Fire, Burnsville Police, Allina Health, and the Minnesota State Patrol were dispatched to the intersection of County Road 42 and Portland Avenue for reports of a three-vehicle collision. Initial reports indicated that one of the vehicles involved had caught fire following the crash.
First responders arriving on the scene encountered a significant crash with multiple victims. The vehicle that had reportedly been on fire was actually a smoking radiator. According to early information, multiple individuals sustained injuries in the crash, including at least four occupants from one of the vehicles. The total number and severity of injuries have not yet been officially confirmed.
An unconfirmed witness account from a driver a few vehicles behind the incident reports that the black SUV may have been traveling eastbound on County Road 42 at a speed believed to be above the posted limit. The witness reported that a silver SUV was positioned in the right-turn lane, preparing to head southbound onto Portland Avenue, when it was allegedly struck from behind by the black SUV. The eastbound traffic was believed to be red, but it turned green just before the crash. According to the witness, the impact of the crash caused the silver SUV to spin into the northbound lanes of Portland Avenue, while the black SUV continued eastbound and collided with a traffic signal pole. Details regarding the third vehicle involved in the crash remain unclear at this time.
It is important to note that this witness account has not been confirmed by law enforcement and does not represent an official determination of the crash’s cause.
Due to the severity of the crash, the Minnesota State Patrol responded to conduct a crash reconstruction investigation. Due to the crash, eastbound County Road 42 was closed at Plymouth Avenue, with traffic being directed north and southbound on Plymouth. Portland Avenue was closed at the intersection in both directions, being redirected eastbound on 145th Street East and westbound on County Road 42. Westbound County Road 42 remained open, except for the southbound left turn onto Portland, which was closed. The intersection experienced significant disruptions as emergency crews worked the scene and investigators began documenting evidence.
The official cause of the crash remains under investigation. Authorities have not yet released additional details regarding the individuals involved or the extent of their injuries. This is a developing situation. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available through law enforcement.
Written By: Will Wight
