Driver of stalled car on I-494 had revoked license

Authorities say the driver of a minivan that caused a fatal accident on Interstate 494 Monday morning was driving with a revoked license.

Minnesota State Patrol spokesperson Lt. Eric Roeske said the minivan ran out of gas in the right lane of the interstate at about 5 a.m.

"Obviously, in that well-populated area with several gas stations around it, there's really no excuse for running out of gas and leaving your vehicle in the middle of a lane on a metropolitan freeway," Roeske said.

Traffic backed up behind the stalled vehicle, causing the accident that killed taxicab driver Nadir Ombabi, 57, of Burnsville.

Roeske said the taxicab driven by Ombabi slowed due to the backup and was struck and pushed into the middle lane, and was struck again, this time broadside in the driver's side door by a semi-trailer.

The minivan driver is being held in Hennepin County Jail. He has not been charged.

Roeske says westbound I-494 was closed for about four hours after the accident.

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