Three Passengers Hospitalized After High-Speed Crash at County Road 42 and Garden View Drive in Apple Valley
Published: August 12, 2026.
APPLE VALLEY, MINNESOTA - Three people were taken to the hospital following a violent three-vehicle crash at County Road 42 and Garden View Drive in Apple Valley after police say a driver traveled through a red light at a high rate of speed, struck two vehicles, and rolled onto its side.
The crash occurred at approximately 4:17 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, at the intersection of 150th Street West/County Road 42 and Garden View Drive, according to an Apple Valley Police Department crash report. The crash involved a 2017 Ford Transit, a 2019 Ram 1500 pickup truck and a 2014 Honda CR-V. Police listed the Ford Transit as carrying the driver and three passengers.
Ford Transit Entered Intersection at High Rate of Speed
According to the investigating officer's narrative, the Ford Transit was traveling westbound on County Road 42 as it approached Garden View Drive. At the same time, the Ram pickup was stopped at a red light on Garden View Drive waiting to travel northbound across County Road 42. The Honda CR-V was stopped at the opposite side of the intersection, also at a red light, waiting to travel southbound.
The driver of the Ford told police he was traveling westbound on County Road 42 and had a yellow light at Garden View Drive when he was struck by the Ram.
However, police said five witnesses who observed the crash provided a different account. According to the report, the witnesses said the Ford was traveling westbound on County Road 42 at a high rate of speed. They told investigators the westbound traffic signal turned red and that the northbound and southbound traffic on Garden View Drive had already received green lights.
Witnesses reported that the Ford then entered the intersection against the red light, struck the Ram and subsequently struck the Honda before rolling onto its side. Police reported that the crash was also captured by multiple surveillance cameras. According to the report, investigators reviewed the footage and said it showed the Ford traveling at a high rate of speed through the red light and causing the collision.
Three Passengers Trapped, Taken to Hospital
The impact left the Ford Transit on its side with three passengers trapped inside. According to police, bystanders were able to free all three passengers using what the report described as "non-mechanical means." All three passengers were then transported by Allina EMS to M Health Fairview Ridges Hospital.
The crash report classified the injuries to each of the three passengers as suspected minor injuries. The Ford's 37-year-old male driver was listed as having no apparent injury. The 66-year-old male driver of the Ram was also listed as having no apparent injury. The 43-year-old male driver of the Honda was listed as having a possible injury but was not transported by ambulance, according to the report.
Police Report Notes Speeding and Red-Light Violation
The crash report lists the Ford driver's contributing factors as "driver speeding" and "ran red light." Under speeding, the report specifically lists "exceeding speed limit." The report also notes that distracted driving was unknown. The posted speed limit for the Ford's westbound direction of travel on County Road 42 was listed as 40 mph. Garden View Drive was listed with a posted speed limit of 30 mph.
The report does not provide an estimated speed for the Ford before the collision.
No alcohol or drug use was indicated as suspected on the crash report, and the report states testing was not given. The drivers' physical conditions were described as apparently normal, including no drugs or alcohol.
The Ford sustained severe, disabling damage, while the Honda also sustained severe, disabling damage. The Ram sustained moderate, disabling damage. All three vehicles were towed from the scene by Dick's Valley Service. Police also documented damage to public property as a result of the crash. The report identifies a right-of-center sign owned by Dakota County as damaged.
The Apple Valley Police Department crash report does not indicate that any citations or criminal charges had been issued as of the report's completion. The report documents the driver's alleged contributing factors and the findings of the crash investigation, but those findings alone should not be interpreted as a criminal conviction or final determination of legal liability.
Crash diagram provided by the Apple Valley Police crash report.
Written by: Will Wight
