Lowry Hill Tunnel crash: Several vehicles pile up Saturday afternoon

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - Several vehicles crashed in the Lowry Hill Tunnel on Saturday afternoon, temporarily bringing traffic to a standstill following the heaviest snowfall of 2025 so far. 

Lowry Hill Tunnel crash

What we know:

According to the Minnesota State Patrol, just after 1 p.m. there were several crashes involving multiple vehicles in the Lowry Hill Tunnel on Interstate 94 in Minneapolis. 

Authorities said no one was injured in the crashes. The tunnel was closed off for about 10 minutes so it could be cleared. Traffic was diverted to the Hennepin Avenue and Lyndale Avenue exit. 

The lanes opened up again around 1:50 p.m.

What we don't know:

Authorities did not say the official cause of the crash, but roads were slushy and icy at the time of the crash. 

The crash is currently under investigation. 

Tow truck drivers' perspective

What they're saying:

Tow Truck Drivers from Bobby and Steve’s Auto World tell FOX 9 that Saturday was a quiet morning for them until they got that one phone call, and it was all hands on deck.

"We got an emergency call pile up in the tunnel and all hands on deck," said Tyrone Robinson, tow truck Driver for Bobby and Steve’s Auto World. 

Robinson and his co-workers were busy at work Saturday afternoon cleaning up the massive pile-up in the Westbound Lowry Tunnel in Minneapolis.

"I pulled up, it was in the line of cars, maybe 10, 10, cars that made it out," said Robinson. 

"All it takes is one car, one, the line leader, you know, made a mistake, and everybody behind either following too close or just not paying attention," said Robinson.

Bobby and Steve’s Suto World towed five cars from the pileup.

Robinson says to be careful on the roads Saturday night as wet roads could turn into icy conditions.

"Once you slam on your brakes in this type of weather, the slickness, it's just going to create more sliding and chaos," said Robinson. 

The tow truck drivers say to not have too much faith in your car or tires when it comes to ice, because the slick conditions don’t care about it. Drive slow and take it easy. 

Statewide Minnesota crash numbers

By the numbers:

The Minnesota State Patrol (MSP) said between midnight and 7:45 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8, there had been 267 property damage crashes, 21 injury crashes, 142 vehicles off-road, 30 spin outs, and 1 jackknifed semi. 

READ MORE: MN weather: Statewide crash totals as of Saturday afternoon