Motorcyclist speeding between cars crashes on I-35W in Minneapolis: Video

A 19-year-old motorcyclist speeding through rush hour traffic on Interstate 35W was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after rear-ending a pickup truck, according to authorities.

What we know

The Minnesota State Patrol crash report indicates the collision happened on Tuesday after 5 p.m. on I-35W near the 36th Street exit. 

A traffic camera captured the event as the motorcyclist was heading northbound in between two lanes of traffic. When cars ahead started slowing down, the motorcyclist sideswiped a Jeep Wrangler before crashing into the back of a pickup truck. 

First responders arrived on the scene and closed the right lanes of traffic while authorities investigated. The 19-year-old man from Blaine was transported to Hennepin County Medical Center to be treated for what authorities described as life-threatening injuries. 

What we don’t know 

The State Patrol report did not say how fast the teenager traveled leading up to the crash. 

The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet, and alcohol was not considered a factor in the collision. The other two drivers involved were not injured in the crash. 

Dig deeper

A law has been passed in Minnesota allowing motorcyclists to "lane-split" or drive in between lanes of traffic that are heading in the same direction. 

However, the law doesn't go into effect until July 1, 2025, and a motorcyclist may not go 15 mph over the speed of traffic or travel faster than 40 mph.

Road incidentsMinneapolis