Three People Injured in Head-On Crash on Whitney Drive in Apple Valley
Published: December 8, 2025
APPLE VALLEY, MINNESOTA—Three people were injured Thursday afternoon after a head-on crash on Whitney Drive, according to a Minnesota Department of Public Safety Motor Vehicle Crash Report completed by the Apple Valley Police Department.
The crash occurred at 3:06 p.m. on December 4, 2025, near Whitney Drive and Greening Avenue. Two vehicles were involved: a 2024 Ram ProMaster 3500 van traveling westbound (Unit 1) and a 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan traveling eastbound (Unit 2). The crash caused disabling damage to both vehicles, and each was towed from the scene.
Police: Unit 1 Abruptly Crossed the Center Line
According to the Apple Valley Police Department's report, the driver of the Ram van stated that the eastbound vehicle had merged into their lane. However, the Volkswagen driver stated they observed the van traveling head-on toward them in their lane. The Volkswagen driver reported honking to warn the oncoming vehicle, but the van continued forward and struck the SUV head-on.
Home security footage from a nearby residence later provided officers with additional clarity. Investigators reviewed the video, which showed the westbound van abruptly merging into the eastbound lane, directly contradicting the Unit 1 driver's initial statement.
Injuries Reported
The crash resulted in three injured individuals, including both occupants of the Volkswagen and the driver of the van.
Unit 1 (Ram ProMaster) Driver:
A 34-year-old man from Saint Paul
Reported a suspected head injury
Evaluated by medics on scene and declined transport
Airbags deployed; seat belt was in use
Unit 2 (Volkswagen Tiguan) Driver:
A 37-year-old woman from Farmington
Reported neck and back injuries
Transported to HCMC by Allina EMS
Airbags deployed; seat belt was in use
Unit 2 Passenger:
Male passenger
Sustained a suspected head injury
Transported to HCMC in the same ambulance
Curtain airbags deployed; restraint use not confirmed
No alcohol or drug impairment was suspected for either driver.
Road Conditions and Contributing Factors
The crash occurred during daylight under cloudy skies, with snow-covered roads, according to the police report. Police indicated that Unit 1 “failed to keep in the proper lane,” and no contributing actions were found on the part of the Volkswagen driver. Distracted driving was listed as “unknown” for Unit 1 and “not distracted” for Unit 2.
A nearby homeowner’s mailbox was also damaged in the incident, according to the report.
No citations were indicated in the police report. Apple Valley Fire, Apple Valley Police, and Allina Health all responded to the scene.
Crash diagram from the crash report.
Written by: Will Wight
