MINNEAPOLIS — A University of Minnesota Campus Connector bus crashed into a popular Minneapolis restaurant and music venue Tuesday afternoon, according to the Minneapolis Fire Department.
The MFD says crews responded to the crash around 12:15 p.m. at the Acadia Cafe, located at 325 Cedar Ave. S. in the city's Cedar-Riverside neighborhood.
Surveillance video released by the Acadia Cafe the next day showed the bus crashed through windows at the front of the cafe, coming to an abrupt stop, then accelerated forward again slightly as portions of the building collapsed around the bus.
Authorities say the bus was carrying the driver and one passenger, who were both uninjured. They said a passenger vehicle was also involved, but it was not immediately clear how the accident happened.
Fire crews said an engineer was called on scene to assess the structural integrity of the building after the crash, while officials from Xcel Energy and Minnegasco assessed whether utilities would need to be shut off.
After crews evacuated the building as needed, authorities taped off the scene and handed the investigation over to the university's police department.
A bystander to the incident, Holly LeVoir, sent video to KARE 11 shortly after the accident, showing emergency responders outside the damaged building.
A GoFundMe that was set up to support the Acadia's employees says the restaurant will be shut down "indefinitely." The fundraiser had already raised over $6,000 by Tuesday evening.
If you'd like to contribute to the Acadia's staff, click here.
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