Red Light Violation Causes Rollover Crash in Apple Valley, Two Injured
APPLE VALLEY, MINNESOTA—Two people sustained minor injuries and two vehicles were totaled after a crash caused by a red light violation Tuesday morning in Apple Valley, according to a police report from the Apple Valley Police Department.
The crash occurred around 7:35 a.m. on April 29 at the intersection of McAndrews Road (County Road 38) and Garden View Drive.
Authorities say a gray 2016 Ford Focus, driven by a 46-year-old Apple Valley man, was traveling eastbound on McAndrews Road when it entered the intersection against a red light and collided with a silver 2025 Ram 1500 pickup truck heading southbound on Garden View Drive. The impact caused the pickup to roll over and come to rest on its roof.
The 45-year-old woman driving the Ram 1500 told officers that the light had been green long before she entered the intersection—a route she takes regularly to drop off her child at school. Her statement was consistent with the evidence at the scene, according to the police report. Inside the RAM was one passenger, a male in the front seat, who sustained a minor cut to his hand and torso pain. Both he and the driver were evaluated by medics on scene but declined transport to the hospital.
The report indicates that the driver of the Ford Focus told officers that he believed the light may have just changed from green to yellow or yellow to red, but acknowledged that the southbound light for the other vehicle was green. The driver of the Ford Focus also reported minor pain and similarly declined medical attention.
The force of the crash caused airbags to deploy in both vehicles. Due to the severity of the damage, both vehicles were declared totaled and were towed by Dicks Towing.
According to the Apple Valley Police Department, there were no indications of alcohol or drug involvement, and all individuals were wearing seatbelts at the time of the collision.
A citation was given to the driver of the Ford Focus for a semaphore violation (failing to obey a traffic signal).
Eastbound McAndrews was closed at the intersection while crews worked to clear the scene and investigate the crash. Traffic northbound was blocked off just south of the intersection. No public property damage was reported.
Provided by Apple Valley Police Crash Report. Unit 1 was the Ford Focus. Unit 2 was the Ram 1500.
Written by: Will Wight
