Minnesota Woman Using Phone While Driving Kills Motorcyclist

Devastating tragedy strikes as woman’s distracted driving claims the life of a motorcyclist in Minnesota. Why was she on her phone? 🌐 #News #AnokaCountyMN #Minnesota #Crime

ANOKA COUNTY, MN – In a tragic incident that underscores the dangers of distracted driving, a motorcyclist lost his life in Anoka County, Minnesota on October 5. Witnesses reported that the driver involved was allegedly using her phone at the time of the collision, raising serious questions about the consequences of not paying attention while behind the wheel.

Incident Details

The crash occurred at the intersection of Viking and Lake George boulevards NW in Oak Grove. Jessica Pietrzak, 31, was driving her Chevrolet Traverse when she struck 48-year-old Kelly Linder, who was stopped in the eastbound lane, waiting to turn left. According to search warrant affidavits, Linder was found unresponsive on the road, and paramedics later pronounced him dead at the scene.

Witnesses detailed that the collision happened just before noon. Linder was positioned in the eastbound lane, preparing to turn left toward local businesses. Pietrzak was traveling behind him and reportedly collided with the motorcycle without any apparent effort to brake or slow down. One witness claimed that Pietrzak admitted she was not paying attention and had been on her phone just moments after the accident.

As more bystanders arrived to help, Pietrzak changed her story, attributing the accident to the sun being in her eyes. However, the affidavit noted that the sun was not low enough to obstruct her view, and she had tinted windows that further compromised visibility.

Driver’s History

Pietrzak has a history of traffic violations, including a 2021 conviction for having a windshield that was too dark and an expired registration. Between 2019 and 2024, she was stopped multiple times for various traffic infractions. Notably, in August, she received a citation from a St. Francis police officer for using her phone while driving.

In her account to the police, Pietrzak mentioned that she had just dropped her father off nearby and was texting a friend as she left. She claimed to have tossed her phone into the center console just before the sun’s glare made it difficult to see. Despite estimating her speed at 40 miles per hour, she noted that her speedometer was malfunctioning at the time.

Investigation Efforts

The investigation is ongoing, with authorities seeking access to Pietrzak’s phone, iPad, iCloud data, and the airbag control module data to gather further evidence about the moments leading up to the fatal crash. As this tragic event unfolds, it serves as a somber reminder of the critical importance of staying focused on the road.