UPDATED: 5-Year-Old Girl Killed in Rollover Crash on I-494 in Inver Grove Heights
Published: June 20, 2026 | Last Updated: 3:50 PM on June 20, 2026.
INVER GROVE HEIGHTS, MN: A 5-year-old girl was killed Saturday morning after a van rolled multiple times on westbound I-494 in Inver Grove Heights, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.
The crash occurred at approximately 10:11 a.m. on Saturday, June 20, 2026, on westbound I-494 near Pieper Road and Sunfish Lake in Dakota County, between Delaware Avenue and South Robert Street. According to the State Patrol, a 2002 Chevrolet Express van was traveling westbound on I-494 when it left the roadway to the left and rolled multiple times. Investigators have not indicated what caused the vehicle to leave the roadway.
The crash prompted a large emergency response and forced the closure of westbound I-494 for several hours while first responders assisted those involved and investigators processed the scene. Traffic was initially reduced to a single lane before authorities completely shut down westbound I-494 near Highway 62 as crews worked at the crash site.
The State Patrol identified the driver as 20-year-old Angel Eduardo Ruiz Perez of Salem, Oregon. Authorities said he was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash and suffered non-life-threatening injuries. He was not transported to a hospital. A 5-year-old passenger, Camila Flores of Salem, Oregon, suffered fatal injuries in the crash. The State Patrol reported that she was not wearing a seat belt when the rollover occurred. Two additional passengers were also inside the van at the time of the crash. The State Patrol indicated that information regarding a 13-year-old male passenger and a 35-year-old female passenger will be released at a later date.
Investigators noted that the roadway was dry at the time of the crash. Alcohol is not believed to have been a factor.
The Minnesota State Patrol also stated that this fatal crash involved an unbelted or unrestrained occupant.
Assisting agencies included the Inver Grove Heights Police Department, Inver Grove Heights Fire Department, M Health Fairview Ambulance, the Minnesota State Patrol, and MnDOT.
The investigation remains complete according to the State Patrol's initial report, though no additional details regarding why the van left the roadway have been released.
This marks another tragic reminder from traffic safety officials about the importance of properly restraining all vehicle occupants, particularly children, every time they travel.
MnDOT Map of where the serious crash occurred.
Written By: Will Wight
