Roseville, Ramsey County (trfnews.i234.me) — A violent highway collision Sunday afternoon left a Minneapolis woman fighting for her life and her elderly passenger injured, after a Jeep Grand Cherokee slammed into a parked Lincoln MKZ on the shoulder of Interstate 35W.
According to the Minnesota State Patrol, the crash occurred at 2:51 p.m., near the junction of Highway 280, when a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee, driven by 40-year-old Ryan Patrick Tyler of Shakopee, drifted over the lane line and crashed into a stationary 2011 Lincoln MKZ.
The Lincoln, which had its hazard lights activated, was legally parked on the shoulder at the time of impact.
Victims:
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Driver of Lincoln: Deborah Renee Nepple, 67, Minneapolis – Life-threatening injuries, transported to Hennepin County Medical Center
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Passenger: Robert Ernest Nepple, 86, Minneapolis – Non-life-threatening injuries, also hospitalized
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Driver of Jeep: Ryan Patrick Tyler, 40 – Uninjured
Crash Details:
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Airbags deployed in both vehicles
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Dry road conditions
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All parties sober
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Robert Nepple was not wearing a seatbelt, according to the report
Responding Agencies:
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HCMC Ambulance
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St. Paul Fire Department
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Roseville Police and Fire
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MnDOT
The crash remains under investigation. No charges have been announced at this time.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News
Did You Know?
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Roadside shoulder crashes account for thousands of injuries annually — often due to driver inattention.
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Hazard lights are not always enough; vehicle placement and visibility matter greatly.
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Unrestrained passengers face a much higher risk of injury, especially in side-impact collisions.