Two young motorcyclists hospitalized after I-35 crash in Duluth
Two young riders were hospitalized after their motorcycles collided on I-35 near 5th Avenue in Duluth, a sharp reminder of how fast a routine ride can turn dangerous.
A Sunday-night ride on Interstate 35 ended with two young motorcyclists in the hospital after their bikes collided near 5th Avenue in Duluth, adding another serious crash to a busy weekend on Northland roads.
The Minnesota State Patrol identified the riders as a 20-year-old Rice Lake man and a 19-year-old Annandale man. Both were traveling southbound together when the motorcycles collided around 9 p.m. on May 10. Police said both riders were taken to the hospital, but their conditions were not released in the initial report.
The crash happened on one of Duluth’s most heavily traveled corridors, where I-35 carries local traffic, regional commuters and out-of-town drivers through a tight stretch of city roadway. A motorcycle collision in that setting can create danger far beyond the two riders involved, especially when nearby drivers have to brake suddenly or change lanes to avoid debris or stopped traffic. The State Patrol is expected to continue examining the circumstances that led to the wreck, including speed, spacing, road conditions, helmet use or whether a mechanical problem played any role.
The collision also lands at the start of Minnesota’s heavier motorcycle season, when more riders begin using major roads like I-35 and other busy Northland routes. State rules require anyone riding a motorcycle on public roads to have a valid driver’s license with a motorcycle instruction permit or endorsement. Permit holders must wear eye protection and a DOT-approved helmet, cannot carry passengers and cannot ride at night. Riders and passengers under 18 must wear a Department of Transportation-approved helmet.
Minnesota Department of Public Safety officials say the state’s crash-data system helps guide enforcement, engineering and education efforts. That data already shows how severe the roads have been this year: as of May 9, Minnesota had recorded 19,955 crashes statewide in 2026, including 5,288 injury crashes and 82 fatal crashes. Preliminary 2025 fatality data lists 57 motorcyclist deaths statewide, underscoring why even one two-bike crash on a city highway draws close attention from traffic-safety officials in St. Louis County and beyond.
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