One of the most heart-wrenching duties for a law enforcement officer is knocking on a door to deliver the devastating news that someone’s loved one has been killed in a traffic crash. For Lt. Andrew Martinek with the Minnesota State Patrol, it’s both painful and deeply personal.

One particular crash involved a single mother, raising her child alone. She was killed by a distracted driver. 

“Having to notify the family and seeing the emotion behind the fact the child no longer has a mother to hug, tuck him into bed, or make his lunch in the morning.  It was really difficult," said Lt. Martinek. “That child’s life is changed forever because of someone’s decision to drive distracted.” 

Far too many lives are taken in preventable crashes. In 2024, 472 people died on Minnesota roads. That’s a 12 percent increase from 2023. So far this year, 29 people have already died in traffic crashes. 

“When you look at the numbers, I don’t think people realize that on average, someone dies every day in our state from a traffic crash,” said Lt. Martinek. “We need the public to recognize the dangers of speeding, distracted driving, impaired driving and recognize the importance of seat belt use.”

Examples of last year’s crashes tell a painful story:  

• Nov. 20: An 8-year-old was killed when an SUV crossed the centerline on Highway 14 and collided head-on with another SUV.   
• Nov. 20: Another child was killed on Interstate 35 when the driver spun out of control on icy roads. Later it was found the child seat was installed incorrectly.  
• Feb. 27: A 32-year-old male was killed after speeding down a county highway and losing control of his vehicle. His car was launched into the air and flipped several times before landing in a ditch.  

“Seeing the high number of lives lost on our roads last year is heartbreaking, and it’s easy to feel discouraged,” said Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety Director Mike Hanson. “But we have the power to change this. The four biggest causes of fatal crashes — impaired driving, speeding, distracted driving, and not wearing a seat belt — are all within our control. Every better choice we make behind the wheel means more lives saved.”

Preliminary data from last year shows that speed was a major factor in nearly 121 crashes, while alcohol played a role in 102. Ninety-nine crash fatalities are attributed to a lack of seat belts and 27 to distracted driving. 

Each crash tells its own story, and for law enforcement officers delivering the news to families, these are more than just statistics. They are tragic events with profound, personal impacts.  

St. Paul Police Department Sgt. Jermain Davis is an investigator with the department’s traffic and pedestrian safety unit. 

“It’s an incredibly difficult responsibility that never becomes easier, no matter how many times you do it,” said Davis. 

While the data show that bad decisions cause crashes, there is a silver lining: drivers themselves can make roads safer for everyone. Slowing down and planning a sober ride are proven steps drivers can take to halt the climb in traffic fatalities in Minnesota. 

“Many people see the statistics as just numbers, but each one represents a life cut short, a family in mourning, and a community impacted by a preventable tragedy,” said Sgt. Chris Jenkins with the St. Paul Police Department. “I hope the public will recognize the human cost behind these figures and understand the importance of supporting law enforcement initiatives and policies that work to prevent such incidents.” 

There were some brutal and preventable fatal crashes last year. But 2025 doesn’t have to be the same. If Minnesotans always drive sober, keep their eyes on the road, wear a seat belt and slow down, they will save lives — and save families from a heartbreaking knock on their door.