MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Driver Dies After Car Rear-Ends Metro Transit Bus at Fridley Railroad Crossing

The Route 827 bus was stopped at a railroad crossing when a southbound vehicle struck it from behind Thursday morning.

By Tom Akaolisa, Editor

FRIDLEY, MN (September 4, 2026). A motorist has died after a vehicle struck the rear of a Metro Transit bus stopped at a railroad crossing in Fridley Thursday morning.

The crash occurred near East River Road NE and 43rd Avenue NE, according to Metro Transit.

A southbound Route 827 bus had stopped at the railroad crossing when the vehicle traveling behind it struck the bus.

The driver of the vehicle was the only occupant.

The motorist was transported to a hospital and later died from injuries sustained in the crash.

The Metro Transit bus operator suffered minor injuries.

Passengers were aboard the bus at the time, but Metro Transit said none of them reported injuries.

The Minnesota State Patrol is assisting Metro Transit Police with the investigation.

Authorities had not publicly identified the driver in the information available Friday morning.

Investigators also had not announced what caused the driver to collide with the stationary bus.

Railroad crossings require buses and certain other vehicles to stop before proceeding across tracks, making the circumstances of the collision an important part of the continuing investigation.

No information released so far indicates that a train was directly involved in the crash.

The fatal collision adds another transportation investigation within MinneapoliMedia's North Metro coverage area and comes during the beginning of the Labor Day travel period.

Further information is expected after investigators complete the crash reconstruction and the victim's family has been notified.

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