A fiery fatal crash in Chisago County closed the southbound lanes of Interstate 35 near the Rush City exit for more than five hours Saturday.

According to the State Patrol, a Chevrolet Equinox going the wrong way in the southbound lanes near Harris crashed head-on into a southbound Ford Fusion, which burst into flames on impact.

The driver of the Fusion died at the scene, officials said. The driver of the Equinox, an unidentified woman, was taken to Regions Hospital in St. Paul with injuries that were not life-threatening, according to the State Patrol.

The crash, which was reported at 3:21 p.m., prompted the State Patrol to close the southbound lanes from Rush City south to Harris until almost 9 p.m. Many motorists were stuck in the traffic line for more than an hour before traffic was rerouted onto other roads.

Photos taken by drivers passing through the area showed smoke and flames rising from the crash site and charred wreckage thereafter.

Miguel Otárola • 612-673-4753