Community Corner

Man Dies Days After Fiery Crash off I-394

Nathanial Ira Cornely, 22, died after being badly burned.

The man, who police suspect in separate incidents of assault and arson Thursday night, has died from injuries he also sustained in a fiery crash off Interstate 394 that evening. 

According to the Minnesota State Patrol, Nathanial Ira Cornely, 22, of Bloomington, was not wearing his seatbelt at the time of the accident.

Just after 10 p.m. July 7, the 1997 Nissan sedan Cornely was driving eastbound along Interstate 394 left the roadway, broke through the fence that separates the interstate from Ridgedale Drive and crash-landed in front of the  store. The car then "exploded" into flames and “badly burned” Cornely,  said.

Find out what's happening in Minnetonkawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

According to multiple law enforcement sources, the fiery crash was a gruesome end to a two-hour spree across the metro, including incidents in Bloomington and Minneapolis. 

Authorities also say that no alcohol was detected in the Cornely’s system at the time of the crash. 

Find out what's happening in Minnetonkawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In March of this year, Bloomington Police arrested Cornely for violating a no contact order following a domestic disturbance. 

Patch has extensive coverage of the incidents of that night. To read that full story, click . 


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