Update: Semi-Truck Driver Who Died in Golden Valley Car Crash Identified

The State Patrol has provided the name and identity of the one fatality in a fiery car crash that happened the morning of Sept. 13 in Golden Valley.

Joseph W. Johnson, 64, of LeSueur, died at the scene inside the cab of the semi he was driving. Witnesses tried to get him out of the cab when it burst into flames, but were unable to get to him.

According to the State Patrol's website, there were four vehicles involved in the crash. 

In one vehicle was Leo Kuglin, 72, of Golden Valley, was driving his 2006 Mazada Tribute southbound on Boone Avenue and was waiting to turn onto Highway 55.

Another vehicle, a 2008 Ford CVR driven Axas Yang, 25, of Minneapolis was traveling westbound on Hwy 55 in the left lane.

A third vehicle driven by Shirley Knutson, 66, of Plymouth, a 2012 Toyota Sienna, was going eastbound on Hwy 55 turning onto Boone Avenue.

A fourth vehicle, a 1993 Ford Conventional semi was going westbound on Hwy 55 in the right lane. 

The State Patrol reported that what happened was Knutson turned left to go onto Boone through a red light. The semi struck Knutson and then hit a light pole and burst into flames trapping Johnson who died. Knutson was then pushed into Yang's vehicle and then hit another pylon in the median. Kuglin was struck by the semi and his car had minor damage.

The condition of Knutson was not listed on the State Patrol's website, but the Star Tribune reports she was taken to North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale and was in serious but stable condition.

Eastbound Highway 55 at Highway 169 was shutdown as law enforcement and first responders were on the scene and crews cleaned up the wreckage and investigated the incident.

Did you witness or see the accident? Let us know in the comment section below!

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