With profound sadness, the Minneapolis community is mourning the loss of Shiya Talise Sargent and Calvin Robert Wolfe, two of the three teenagers who died following a devastating collision near the University of Minnesota campus Tuesday morning.
The tragic crash occurred on Southeast Fourth Street near Interstate 35W when a stolen Hyundai Elantra carrying seven teenagers collided with a semi-trailer. According to preliminary information released by the Minneapolis Police Department, the tractor-trailer was exiting I-35W and crossing Southeast Fourth Street when the collision happened.
Investigators said the Elantra was traveling westbound on Southeast Fourth Street when it struck the trailer of the southbound tractor-trailer. The force of the impact pushed the vehicle underneath the trailer, creating a devastating scene for first responders who arrived moments later.
Three teenagers lost their lives in the crash. Authorities later identified two of the victims as Shiya Talise Sargent and Calvin Robert Wolfe. As of Wednesday evening, officials had not publicly released the identity of the third teenager who died.
Four other teenagers survived the collision but suffered serious injuries. Firefighters worked to remove passengers from the heavily damaged vehicle, and the injured teens—including two 18-year-old males, a 17-year-old female, and a 17-year-old male—were transported to Hennepin County Medical Center for treatment of life-threatening injuries.
Police said preliminary information indicates the stolen sedan may have been traveling at a high rate of speed before the crash. The driver of the semi-trailer was not injured and has been cooperating with investigators as they work to understand the circumstances that led to the collision.
But beyond the details of the investigation are the lives of three young people whose futures were suddenly taken away.
Shiya Talise Sargent and Calvin Robert Wolfe were more than names connected to a tragic crash. They were individuals with families, friendships, memories, and people who cared deeply for them. Their passing has left loved ones facing a grief that words cannot fully express.
For those mourning their loss, memories of their lives—the moments shared, conversations remembered, and connections created—will remain a lasting reminder of the people they were and the impact they had on those around them.
As the investigation continues, thoughts remain with the families of Shiya Talise Sargent, Calvin Robert Wolfe, the third teenager who lost their life, the injured survivors, and everyone affected by this heartbreaking tragedy.
May their memories be honored, and may their loved ones find strength and comfort during this unimaginable time.
