2 dead, 3 injured in north Minneapolis crash

Two women are dead and three others are injured after a two-vehicle crash Monday morning in north Minneapolis sent one car careening into a bus shelter.

According to the Minneapolis Police Department, the crash happened around 10:21 a.m. when a car headed north on Emerson Avenue North collided with a car headed east on 26th Avenue North. The eastbound car then hit a bus shelter, injuring a 17-year-old boy who was waiting for a bus to take him to school.

Two women were inside the eastbound car: One was pronounced dead at the scene, and another was taken to North Memorial Health Hospital, where she later died, police said.

The women were identified Wednesday as Esther Jean Fulks, 53, and Rose Elaine Reece, 57.

A man and a woman inside the northbound vehicle were brought to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. The 17-year-old boy was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Police investigators believe speed played a role in the crash. No arrests have been made.

“This is a terrible crash that has impacted multiple families,” Police Chief Brian O’Hara said in a statement. “It’s heartbreaking and tragic that two people were killed and three others were injured in the blink of an eye. While the cause of this crash is still under investigation, I want to emphasize the importance for every driver to drive at safe speeds and stay hyper-focused and engaged while operating a motor vehicle.” 

The crash remains under investigation.