MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Alcohol is cited as a factor in a deadly crash that shut down Highway 12 early Saturday morning.

The accident happened just east of Old Crystal Bay Road near Long Lake at about 2:15 a.m.

The Minnesota State Patrol says a Ford Fusion rear-ended a Honda Civic as they were traveling east.

The Ford spun out, coming to a stop in the westbound lanes where it was struck by a third vehicle.

The 26-year-old driver of the Ford Fusion, Alexander Grenell, had to be airlifted to a hospital, but later died.

The other two drivers involved -- 25-year-old Melissa Waters from North St. Paul and 52-year-Raymond Casey -- were not injured.

The state patrol is investigating, and has not released the names of the drivers involved.