Shotgun Shells Spill Across I-494 After Pickup Loses Tote in Inver Grove Heights
Published: August 16th, 2026.
INVER GROVE HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA: Traffic was temporarily disrupted on Interstate 494 in Inver Grove Heights Sunday afternoon after a pickup truck lost a container filled with shotgun shells, scattering the ammunition across the interstate.
According to information provided by the Minnesota State Patrol, troopers responded at approximately 1:55 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16, to a report of a lost load on westbound I-494 near Highway 3. The State Patrol said a Chevrolet Silverado had been traveling westbound when it lost a black-and-yellow tote containing shotgun shells. The container fell onto the interstate, causing the shotgun shells to spill across all lanes of westbound traffic.
Troopers responded to the area, and the Minnesota Department of Transportation was requested to assist with clearing the ammunition and other debris from the roadway. The incident caused traffic delays as crews worked to clear the interstate. The middle and right lanes of westbound I-494 were temporarily closed, forcing traffic to use the remaining open lane while cleanup was underway.
The lanes were reopened after crews cleared the debris from the roadway.
Despite the shotgun shells being scattered across the interstate, the State Patrol said no motorists reported damage to their vehicles as a result of the incident. No injuries were reported. The pickup truck believed to have lost the tote did not remain at the scene. According to the State Patrol, troopers were unable to locate or identify the Chevrolet Silverado that had been carrying the container.
No additional information about the vehicle or its driver was immediately available Sunday afternoon.
Written by: Will Wight
