Light rail train hits minivan making errant turn in downtown Mpls.

Trains in both directions were stopped, and passengers were allowed to disembark.

April 12, 2015 at 8:22PM
A light rail train struck a car Sunday afternoon, April 12, 2015, in downtown Minneapolis, leaving the tracks blocked. The collision occurred about 12:45 p.m. The car's driver, a man, did not appear to be seriously hurt. (Glen Crevier, Star Tribune)
A light rail train struck a car Sunday afternoon, April 12, 2015, in downtown Minneapolis, leaving the tracks blocked. The collision occurred about 12:45 p.m. The car’s driver, a man, did not appear to be seriously hurt. (Glen Crevier, Star Tribune) (CJ Sinner/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

A light rail train struck a minivan early Sunday afternoon in downtown Minneapolis, leaving the tracks blocked for a brief amount of time.

The collision occurred about 12:45 p.m. The minivan's driver was taken to a hospital with noncritical injuries, said Metro Transit spokesman Howie Padilla.

The minivan was heading south on 3rd Avenue S. and was attempting to turn left onto 5th Street, but there is no lane in that direction for vehicles. The eastbound train then hit the minivan on the passenger side. Padilla added that the driver also ran a red light.

Trains in both directions were stopped, and passengers were allowed to disembark. Buses were called to help passengers continue their travels to the next station.

The intersection outside City Hall and the Hennepin County Government Center remained blocked and trains halted for about 45 minutes.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482

A light rail train struck a car Sunday afternoon, April 12, 2015, in downtown Minneapolis, leaving the tracks blocked. The collision occurred about 12:45 p.m. The car's driver, a man, did not appear to be seriously hurt. (Claude Peck, Star Tribune)
A light rail train struck a car Sunday afternoon, April 12, 2015, in downtown Minneapolis, leaving the tracks blocked. The collision occurred about 12:45 p.m. The car’s driver, a man, did not appear to be seriously hurt. (Claude Peck, Star Tribune) (CJ Sinner/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
A light rail train struck a car Sunday afternoon, April 12, 2015, in downtown Minneapolis, leaving the tracks blocked. The collision occurred about 12:45 p.m. The car's driver, a man, did not appear to be seriously hurt. (Claude Peck, Star Tribune)
A light rail train struck a car Sunday afternoon, April 12, 2015, in downtown Minneapolis, leaving the tracks blocked. The collision occurred about 12:45 p.m. The car’s driver, a man, did not appear to be seriously hurt. (Claude Peck, Star Tribune) (CJ Sinner/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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Paul Walsh

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Paul Walsh is a general assignment reporter at the Star Tribune. He wants your news tips, especially in and near Minnesota.

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Nation/world editor Pamela Huey has spent 44 years in the news business, including stints at UPI, MPR, AP and the Star Tribune. As a wire reporter, she covered politics, crime, sports, agriculture and human interest stories. She also spent seven years on Capitol Hill serving as a deputy press secretary to a U.S. senator.  

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