BLOOMINGTON, Minn. - The westbound lanes of Interstate 494 in Bloomington are open again following a fatal accident that involved seven vehicles on I-494 and France Avenue Monday morning.
Lt. Eric Roeske says 57-year-old Nadir Ombabi of Burnsville was killed in the crash, which happened just after 5 a.m. in the westbound lanes of I-494 near France Avenue.
Roeske says a vehicle ran out of gas and stalled in the right lane causing three vehicles to crash. A taxi cab driven by Ombabi was then rear-ended as he slowed for the crash. Ombabi's cab was pushed into the middle lane and was struck by a semi, causing his death.
The driver of the van that ran out of gas, a 49-year-old Minneapolis man, was arrested for driving after revocation. There are also questions being asked about his legal status in this country.
A Minneapolis man driving a Chevy Trailblazer suffered minor injuries.
Roeske says a total of seven vehicles was involved in the pileup.
Westbound lanes were closed for hours as authorities reconstructed the scene and removed damaged vehicles.
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