2 killed in wrong-way crash on I-94 in north Minneapolis

MNINEAPOLIS (KMSP) - The Minnesota State Patrol is investigating a deadly head-on crash between two cars on Interstate 94 north of Minneapolis. 

The crash occurred on eastbound I-94 just east of Lowry Avenue at 1:34 a.m. Investigators say a BMW 535XI, driven by a 26-year-old man, was driving the wrong way in the eastbound lanes and collided head on with a Toyota Camry. 

The driver of the Toyota Camry, Diana Rojas-Martinez, 18, and her passenger, Christopher Bunay, 19, both of Minneapolis, were killed in the crash. Both teenagers were recent graduates of Cristo Rey Jesuit High School. 

"Diana and Chris graduated in June 2017 and were bright lights in our community," Cristo Rey said in a statment. "They were fierce friends, hard-working students and driven to succeed in all parts of their lives. They will be dearly missed by the entire Cristo Rey Jesuit family." 

The wrong-way driver, Quoc Thanh Tran, 26, of Brooklyn Center, was hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries. Authorities believe alcohol was a factor in the crash. 

The freeway was closed south of Dowling Avenue for several hours, but reopened shortly before 6 a.m. 

Full statement from Cristo Rey Jesuit High School

Cristo Rey Jesuit High School is devastated to learn of the tragic loss of graduates Diana Rojas-Martinez and Chris Buñay in the early morning of September 26th.

Diana and Chris graduated in June 2017 and were bright lights in our community.  They were fierce friends, hard-working students and driven to succeed in all parts of their lives. They will be dearly missed by the entire Cristo Rey Jesuit family. Our hearts go out to the Rojas-Martinez and Buñay families and we hold them in our hearts and prayers during this difficult time.

Counselors will be on hand at Cristo Rey Jesuit to offer any needed emotional support to our students, graduates, families and friends.