Cassius Caine Price Injured in Bloomington Car Accident
Details emerge in I-494 collision near Highway 5 interchange
Cassius Caine Price, 29, of Minneapolis, was injured when the SUV he was riding in crashed on Interstate 494 near Highway 5 in Bloomington on Tuesday, March 17, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.
The 2026 Mazda CX-50 was driving in the eastbound lanes when it veered onto the shoulder. The driver lost control, and the vehicle rolled multiple times, the agency said. Airbags deployed in the crash.
The crash happened shortly after midnight on a dry road. Emergency crews diverted traffic for several hours while teams cleared the wreckage.
Price suffered non-life-threatening injuries, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. He was taken to Regions Hospital in St. Paul for treatment. The victim was not wearing a seat belt, authorities said.
A 34-year-old woman from Inver Grove Heights was driving the SUV, authorities said. Her condition was not immediately available.
The crash remains under investigation.
The Minnesota State Patrol is leading the investigation into the crash, with assistance from the Airport Police Department and the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Emergency responders from the Bloomington Fire Department and Allina Ambulance provided on-scene medical triage before the transport to Regions Hospital. While alcohol is not suspected to be a factor in this incident according to the State Patrol's preliminary report, the precise cause of the steering loss remains under technical review. Investigators are examining whether road contaminants or mechanical failure contributed to the vehicle's departure from the established travel lane.
National Legal Analyst Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal, noted that "I've seen families blindsided by how quickly a simple commute turns into a heartbeat of loss. It's devastating that left-turn crashes account for over twenty percent of all fatal intersection accidents."
Minnesota's no-fault insurance framework
Minnesota operates under a "no-fault" insurance system, which generally requires individuals injured in motor vehicle accidents to first seek compensation for medical expenses and lost wages from their own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, regardless of who was at fault for the collision. However, if an individual's injuries meet certain statutory thresholds for severity or medical costs, they may be able to pursue a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver. This system aims to streamline the process for minor injuries while allowing for traditional tort claims in more serious cases.
Comparative fault rules in Minnesota
Under Minnesota Statutes section 604.01, the state follows a modified comparative fault rule. This means that an injured party can recover damages as long as their own negligence is not greater than the negligence of the party from whom recovery is sought. If an injured party is found to be 50% or less at fault, their recoverable damages will be reduced proportionally to their percentage of fault. For example, if a claimant is found 20% at fault, their award would be reduced by 20%. If their fault exceeds 50%, they are generally barred from recovering damages.
Statute of limitations for personal injury claims
In Minnesota, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims, including those arising from car accidents, is six years from the date of the incident. This deadline is established under Minnesota Statutes section 541.05. Failing to file a lawsuit within this period typically results in the forfeiture of the right to pursue a claim. However, specific circumstances, such as injuries to minors or cases involving government entities, may alter this standard timeframe.