MnDPS
Life without Lindsay: Sober Driving Matters
- Title
- Life without Lindsay: Sober Driving Matters
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- It was January 31, 2017 in Foley, Minnesota. Lindsay Cardinal was on her way home from picking up her children at daycare when her life suddenly ended.
Her husband Matt, now a widower at age 33, is left to raise their three young children on his own. Sober driving matters!
DPS.MN.GOV
- Title
- DPS Highlights: Flagging Illegal Sports Betting in Minnesota
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- The kickoff to football season brings excitement to fans across the country with all eyes converging on Minnesota in February for Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis.
To educate consumers on the dangers of making illegal sports bets and give insight into what is legal in Minnesota establishments, the Department of Public Safety Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division held a news conference as the NFL season kicks off Thursday.
Don Weinberger also discussed how casual sports betting controlled his life and virtually cost him everything, including his home.
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- School Bus Safety: Be Ready for the Ride
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- Title
- DPS Highlights: DWI Courts Helping to Reduce Repeat Offenses
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- To remind the public about the importance of driving sober, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety (DPS-OTS) announced extra DWI enforcement on Minnesota roads starting Friday and running through Sept. 3.
Judge Marta Chou also discussed the Hennepin County program and how DWI courts are helping make Minnesota roads safer. Three-time DWI offender Janet Carlson shared how the program changed her life and helped her from repeating her mistakes a fourth time.
Forty-one percent of drunk driving arrests are repeat offenders. Minnesota’s DWI courts are helping reduce the likelihood a driver repeatedly gets behind the wheel drunk, jeopardizing their life and the lives of other motorists. An evaluation found that Minnesota’s DWI courts have reduced recidivism up to 69 percent and participant completion rates were well above the national average.
DWI courts bring together drug and alcohol treatment along with criminal justic...
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- DPS Highlights: State Patrol Introduces Three New K-9 Teams
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- K-9s Keno, King and Remi have joined the Minnesota State Patrol after 15 weeks of training.
The K-9s and their handlers demonstrated how they go about searching and locating drugs.
Each K-9 went through 10 weeks of intensive training where they learned to detect various drugs in different locations.
Following the 10-week K-9 training, the handlers went through five weeks of training with their assigned partners.
- Title
- DPS Highlights: BCA Offering DNA Collection Opportunities for Minnesota Families of Missing Persons
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension discussed recent exhumations of unidentified remains and a series of DNA collection opportunities across Minnesota for family members of missing persons.
There are dozens of sets of unidentified remains in Minnesota and many more across the nation. At the same time there are hundreds of persons who have been missing for many years.
Through this effort, families have a chance to learn what happened to their loved one and the unidentified have a chance to regain their name and their dignity.
- Title
- DPS Highlights: Brake the Habit, Speeding Doesn't Pay
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- To remind the public about the importance of driving the speed limit, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety (DPS-OTS) announced extra speed enforcement on Minnesota roads starting Friday and running through July 23, 2017.
Preliminary numbers show that speed was a contributing factor in crashes where 92 people lost their lives on Minnesota roads in 2016. Speed-related fatalities increased by 18 percent last year compared with 2015.
To help motorists understand that speeding can be the difference between life and death, the Minnesota State Patrol demonstrated how long it takes to stop while traveling at different speeds.
According to preliminary numbers, speed is a leading contributing factor in Minnesota crashes, contributing to 21 percent of all fatal crashes over the past five years (2012 – 2016).
• Speed contributes to an average of 83 deaths each year.
• Speed-related crashes contributed to 109 ...
- Title
- MSP Video: State Patrol Cirrus Aircraft Helps Rescue Canoeists in BWCA on June 1, 2017
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- Minnesota State Patrol pilots used their heat-seeking equipment to help locate two missing paddlers who hadn’t been heard from in four days after going canoeing in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.
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- DPS Highlights: State Patrol Troopers Make Life-Saving Blood Run
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- A routine cesarean section recently turned into a life-threatening situation for Lisa Jaeger when she suffered a massive hemorrhage during delivery.
The blood needed for a transfusion was 45 miles away and time was of the essence. Three State Patrol troopers jumped into action to make the life-saving delivery, forming a relay between St. Paul and Red Wing.
Had the blood not arrived in time, doctors told Lisa she may not have survived. Little did the troopers know they were saving one of their own: Lisa is a vehicle fleet manager with the Minnesota State Patrol.
The Minnesota State Patrol transports blood, plasma and platelets from the St. Paul or Minneapolis blood banks to requesting hospitals. Troopers also transport organs upon request.
Blood runs are only requested by hospitals when there is a massive loss of blood during an operation where a patient’s life is in danger.
- Title
- DPS Highlights: Demonstration Shows Strength of Seat Belts
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- Minnesotans are making smart choices as a high rate of motorists continue buckling up (93 percent) in Minnesota, compared with 88.5 percent nationally.
Still, motorists must remember, failing to put a seat belt on even one time can mean the difference between life and death.
To demonstrate to the public how seat belts can make a difference, the Department of Public Safety held a news conference to announce the Click It or Ticket extra enforcement campaign.
The event was highlighted by a tow truck lifting a vehicle up by its seat belt, demonstrating the strength of a belt and how it can help prevent injury or loss of life when properly used.
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- DPS Highlights: MSP Cadets Graduate from 58th Training Academy
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- The Minnesota State Patrol’s core values - respect, integrity, courage, excellence and honor – was the focus of a ceremony to welcome 42 men and women as State Troopers on May 16, 2017.
The graduation ceremony was held for the cadets following their successful completion of the Minnesota State Patrol’s 58thTraining Academy.
The cadets, ages 21 – 38 years old, include one sister of a current trooper, 10 military veterans, 17 with prior law enforcement experience and four women.
The class of the 58th Minnesota State Patrol Training Academy began training on January 16.
The grueling 17-week course consisted of motor vehicle crash investigation, traffic law, emergency vehicle operations, firearms, defensive tactics, communication and scenario-based training.
More information is available at mntrooper.com.
- Title
- Be Elite: Row the Boat with Col. Matt Langer and P.J. Fleck
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- What do the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers football team and the Minnesota State Patrol have in common? They’re rowing the boat in unique ways.
Col. Matt Langer, chief of the Minnesota State Patrol, and Coach P.J. Fleck teamed up to talk about recruiting, community and community service in this video highlighting the Minnesota State Patrol recruiting efforts.
- Title
- SPEAK UP: KARE 11's Alicia Lewis Shares Her Distracted Driving Story
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- KARE 11's Alicia Lewis knows the dangers and temptations of driving distracted. She’s done it.
Fortunately for Alicia, she survived a distracted driving crash in high school, but she knows it could’ve ended much differently.
Those “what ifs” are motivating her and KARE 11 to get others to pay attention behind the wheel with their #eyesUP campaign.
Listen to her message to pay attention and not gamble with your life or the lives of others on the road. #JustDrive #SpeakUpMN
- Title
- Troopers vs. Crunch: Teaming Up Against Distracted Driving
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- Crunch learned his lesson the hard way: Distractions on the basketball court aren’t part of the play. Luckily, all that was hurt was his pride.
Join the Minnesota State Patrol, Crunch and the Minnesota Timberwolves and make a commitment to drive distraction free.
- Title
- DPS Highlights: Distracted Driving Death Highlights Extra Enforcement
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- Joe Tikalsky, a New Prague school bus driver for more than 40 years, was killed by a distracted driver.
Joe’s family, along with a number his former bus riders, joined the Minnesota Department of Public Safety to help kick-off the state’s extra enforcement campaign April 10-23.
Since her grandfather’s death, Seventeen-year-old Sylvie Tikalsky spoke about her efforts to curb distracted driving among her peers.
Sylvie and her family discussed their efforts to get a potentially lifesaving tool in the hands of teen drivers to help keep another family from going through a similar tragedy.
• Texting and driving citations continue to climb statewide.
• Since 2012, texting and driving citations have increased 251 percent. From 1,707 ticket in 2012, to 5,988 last year.
• In 2015, distracted driving contributed to 7,666 injuries and 74 deaths.
• When a crash occurs in Minnesota, the driver behavior that law enf...
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- DPS Highlights: Minnesota Officials Discuss Meth and Other Drug Concerns
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- Officials from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS), Human Services (DHS) and Health (MDH) spoke Monday about the amount of methamphetamine and prescription pills seized in 2016 by Violent Crime Enforcement Teams (VCETs) around the state. Treatment numbers and efforts to combat the drug problem were also discussed during the news conference.
- Title
- DPS Highlights: Minnesota State Patrol Recognizes Heroic Acts
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- Law enforcement, emergency medical personnel and ordinary citizens put their lives on the line to save others every day in Minnesota last year.
These men and women were recognized at the Minnesota State Patrol’s annual awards ceremony. Honorees include citizens, troopers and other public servants who performed heroic acts in 2016.
The Minnesota State Patrol established its awards ceremony to honor the exemplary efforts of troopers who have excelled in their mission to protect and serve the people of Minnesota.
The ceremony also recognizes citizens and members of other law enforcement and emergency service agencies who performed commendable acts to assist troopers and help others.
- Title
- MSP Dashcam: Troopers Rescue Suspect from Fiery Crash after High-Speed Pursuit
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- A 100 mph pursuit, a crash and a rescue from a burning vehicle.
It’s all part of the job for troopers who rescued and then arrested a man for fleeing after a traffic stop in May 2016.
- Title
- DPS Highlights: Officials Tackle Super Bowl Gambling and Drunk Driving
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- Super Bowl Sunday — a time to gather with friends and family for one of the most watched games of the year. It’s also one of the most dangerous times on Minnesota roads and one of the biggest days of the year for illegal gambling.
Each year, an average of 164 people are arrested for drunk driving on Super Bowl Sunday, averaging out to nearly four per hour, similar to New Year’s Eve and Thanksgiving.
• New Year’s Eve (3.9/hour)
• Super Bowl (3.7/hour)
• Thanksgiving (3.7/hour)
The party atmosphere can include millions of Americans making a friendly wager or spending money on a football board square or football numbers as they take in the game. Illegal betting can cost an establishment its liquor or charitable gambling license.
- Title
- DPS Highlights: Carbon Monoxide Dangers, Family Speaks Out after Man's Death
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- Denice Johnson and her family are doing everything in their power to make sure no other family loses a son, daughter, parent or loved one to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Denice is asking everyone — ice anglers, especially — who hears the story of her son Jared’s death to educate themselves about the dangers of carbon monoxide and equip themselves with a CO alarm if they plan on spending time on one of Minnesota’s 10,000 lakes in an ice house this winter.
- Title
- DPS News Conference: Dangers of Carbon Monoxide, Mother Speaks Out after Son's Death
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- A mother whose son died one year ago this month from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning while ice fishing on Leech Lake talked about his death publicly for the first time in hopes it will save another family the heartache of losing a loved one.
Denice Johnson joined Minnesota Department of Public Safety State Fire Marshal Division, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Hennepin County Medical Center officials at a media availability to encourage safety as the Minnesota ice fishing season continues.
Johnson’s son Jared Johnson was ice fishing in an ice house converted from a camper trailer with propane heaters inside. The heaters were not properly ventilated, causing a deadly buildup of the odorless, colorless gas that killed the 34-year-old father and firefighter with the Eastern Hubbard County Fire Protection District.
CO killed 64 people in Minnesota between 2011 and 2015, according to the most recent info...
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- MSP Dashcam: Semi Loses Control, Nearly Hits Two State Troopers in Inver Grove Heights
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- A semi nearly struck troopers responding earlier this month to property damage crashes on Highway 55 and Barnes Avenue in Inver Grove Heights.
The trooper in the semi’s path moved his squad after he heard his partner yelling on the radio to get out of the way. Nobody was injured.
A fresh coat of snow overnight and this morning has made roads slick. Slow down, give yourself extra time and increase your following distance. Check www.511mn.org for road conditions.
- Title
- DPS MIC'D UP: Inside Look At Extra Enforcement on MN Roads
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- More than 300 law enforcement agencies are working to keep Minnesotans safe on the road during statewide extra enforcement campaigns.
The Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety coordinates the campaigns throughout the year to influence Minnesotans to make smart choices behind the wheel.
Watch this video of an extra DWI enforcement campaign for a behind-the-scenes look at the action on the street and the planning involved to ensure we all get home safely.
- Title
- DPS Highlights: Officials Remind Establishments to be on the Lookout for Fake IDs
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- Underage drinking has been a long-standing concern in cities across Minnesota, especially those near a college campus.
To remind Minnesotans about the dangers of underage drinking and the abuse of fake IDs, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division (DPS-AGED), along with Mankato Police and Rounders Sports Bar & Grill, held a news conference to show a significant number of IDs confiscated in recent months.
Rounders is putting an emphasis on recognizing fake IDs and keeping underage drinkers out of the bar.
In recent years, fake IDs have become increasingly sophisticated and harder to recognize. DPS-AGED will discuss the importance of educating employees on the signs of fake IDs. The Mankato Department of Public Safety will discuss their ongoing enforcement efforts.
- Title
- 2016 Recap: Minnesota Department of Public Safety
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- Raising awareness about traffic safety, fire prevention, drug enforcement, and disaster recovery, is an important way to keep our communities safe.
In 2016 we brought you stories of Minnesotans that were often difficult to hear, but important in saving lives.
As we remember 2016, our hope is for all Minnesotans to responsibly ring in the New Year and help keep each other safe and healthy in 2017.
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- Traffic Cam: Multi-Vehicle Crash on Eastbound I-94
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- The occupants of the first vehicle shown in this video that crashed Dec. 18 on Interstate 94 in St. Paul had to run for their lives when passing cars also lost control.
This is what can happen when you don’t slow down and drive for conditions. If you’re involved in a crash, stay in the vehicle. Thanks to our friends at Minnesota Department of Transportation for sharing this video.
With snow, ice, and rain in the forecast, remember to:
• Slow down.
• Not use your cruise control.
• Increase your following distance.
• Give yourself extra time to get to your destination
• Line up a sober ride or stay put if you have been drinking. Extra DWI enforcement is out this weekend.
- Title
- MSP Dashcam: State Trooper Stops Drunk Semi Driver Just in Time
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- This Minnesota State Patrol dashcam video shows just how dangerous a drunk driver can be to motorists.
On July 18, 2016, the driver of this semi-truck on Highway 10 in Morrison County was pulled over after swerving off the road, nearly taking out road signs.
The driver was so intoxicated he fell to the ground when stepping out of the semi and could not stand back up for several minutes.
The driver, who had a blood alcohol content of .28 percent and was convicted of 3rd degree DWI, had two bottles of vodka in the semi.
- Title
- MSP Dashcam: Pickup Driver Loses Control on Icy Interstate
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- This Minnesota State Patrol dashcam footage shows why it’s important to drive at appropriate speeds for slick winter road conditions.
Slow down and increase your following distance in inclement weather and when road conditions are poor. Doing those two things is the best way to avoid a crash or ending up in the ditch.
- Title
- DPS Media Availability: Minnesotans Urged to Prepare for Winter Weather Safety
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- As a major winter storm takes aim at the Twin Cities and surrounding areas, the Department of Public Safety is encouraging the public to heed the warnings about dangerous travel conditions.
With as much as 10 inches of snow and bitter cold expected in parts of the state, the Minnesota State Patrol, State Fire Marshal Division, Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and MnDOT will talk about:
* Postponing travel during the storm, if possible.
* Safe driving tips if travel is necessary.
* How to avoid becoming stranded.
* How to prepare a winter survival kit.
* Fire prevention while staying warm in homes.
* The importance clearing fire hydrants and gas meters.
* Efforts to clear the roads and safety around snowplows.
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- An Everyday Struggle: Life After a DWI Crash
- Date posted
- 9 years ago
- Description
- “You don’t know how much you are hurting somebody”
It’s been 30 plus years, but Ron Elzen still faces challenges because of a drunk driver.
In this video, hear Ron’s story and the lasting effect it had on his son, who is now a Minnesota State Trooper.
“I’m very passionate about arresting drunk drivers or impaired drivers because I don’t want to see another innocent family go through what my dad, my mother and all of my siblings had to go through.”
The words of Trooper Mitch Elzen who went into law enforcement partly because of what his dad went through after being hit by a drunk driver.
- Title
- DPS News Conference: Extra DWI Patrols on MN Roads, Make the Right Choice this Holiday Season
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- A “thank you” goes a long way. The Department of Public Safety, law enforcement and establishments across the state want to say “thank you” to the thousands of people joining the crowd and making the right choice this holiday season.
As the Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety kicks off the holiday extra DWI enforcement campaign Nov. 23 – Dec. 30, law enforcement and establishments will be thanking those who give up their keys and take alternate transportation home.
On Wednesday, The Happy Gnome in St. Paul will start placing thank you notes on vehicles left overnight by drivers who recognized they had too much to drink to drive home.
- Title
- DPS Highlights: Fire Officials Demonstrate Dangers of Deep-Frying Turkey
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Firefighters dropped a turkey into hot cooking oil to demonstrate how quickly and easily deep-frying your Thanksgiving dinner can turn dangerous or even deadly.
Officials also talked about the potential dangers and urge people to consider the risks before using a turkey fryer this holiday season.
Cooking is typically the top cause of residential fires each year in Minnesota. Last year, there were 70 residential fires over the Thanksgiving holiday (Thursday through Sunday). Many of those fires started in the kitchen.
While Thanksgiving is the leading day for home fires involving cooking equipment in the United States, it’s important to note that serious burns can occur whenever extremely hot oil or grease splatters or when it catches fire.
Since 2015, the Regions Hospital Burn Center has admitted 47 adults as a result of a burn from hot cooking oil or grease.
- Title
- Unbelted Heartbreak: A Grieving Mother's Plea to Always Buckle Up
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Marcus Huhn always wore his seat belt. Except for some unknown reason he didn't on March 13, 2016. Tragically, the 16-year-old rolled his vehicle near Litchfield on his way to work that morning, was ejected and later died.
Heather Bednarek shares her emotional and powerful story in hopes it will remind you to buckle up every seat, every time. Unfortunately, 91 unbuckled motorists died on Minnesota roads in 2015.
“One second changed his life,” she said. “That split second where he chose to remove his seat belt, this is our outcome.”
The thought that her son’s death could save someone else’s life helps get her through each day.
- Title
- DPS Highlights: Specially Equipped Trailers Help Firefighters Learn Life-Saving Skills
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Minnesota firefighters put on a live demonstration showing the valuable and life-saving skills they can practice with three new State Fire Marshal “training trailers” now available to Minnesota fire departments.
The demonstration focused on forcible entry, roof ventilation, chimney ventilation and firefighter bailout. These trailers help ensure the state’s 20,000-plus firefighters have the training they need to save lives.
Firefighters need to be prepared for everything from venting a roof to forcing a front door to properly ventilating a room from the outside should one of their own become trapped.
Properly teaching and refreshing those skills can be difficult and costly, especially in rural Minnesota and at smaller departments without training facilities.
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety State Fire Marshal Division partners with MnSCU so fire departments can sign up to have an instructor and the versatile and mobi...
- Title
- DPS Media Availability: State Patrol Investigates Double-Fatal Rollover Crash in South Metro
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Two people are dead following a Monday night crash in Burnsville. The crash occurred after an Astro Van fled Apple Valley police and led authorities on a high-speed chase through the south metro.
The State Patrol is investigating the crash. The preliminary investigation shows Apple Valley police attempted to stop the suspect vehicle because it matched an alert from a hit-and-run crash in Savage. The suspect immediately fled in the vehicle. Officers from Burnsville joined Apple Valley as the pursuit went through Burnsville.
The suspect vehicle crashed into a Toyota SUV on County Road 5 at 131st Street in Burnsville. The female driver of the Toyota was pronounced dead at the scene. The suspect vehicle struck a guide wire and damaged two power poles, and power lines came down on top of the suspect vehicle causing a fire. The male suspect was killed in the crash and fire.
The Hennepin County medical examiner is conducting the autopsies and will forma...
- Title
- DPS News Conference: New Specially Equipped Trailers Help Firefighters Learn Life-Saving Skills
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Minnesota firefighters put on a live demonstration showing the valuable and life-saving skills they can practice with three new State Fire Marshal “training trailers” now available to Minnesota fire departments.
The demonstration focused on forcible entry, roof ventilation, chimney ventilation and firefighter bailout. These trailers help ensure the state’s 20,000-plus firefighters have the training they need to save lives.
Firefighters need to be prepared for everything from venting a roof to forcing a front door to properly ventilating a room from the outside should one of their own become trapped.
Properly teaching and refreshing those skills can be difficult and costly, especially in rural Minnesota and at smaller departments without training facilities.
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety State Fire Marshal Division partners with MnSCU so fire departments can sign up to have an instructor and the versatile and mobi...
- Title
- Hunter, Dog Rescued in Carlos Avery Wildlife Management Area
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- VIDEO CREDIT: Anoka County Sheriff’s Office
Watch the Minnesota Aviation Rescue Team — led by a State Patrol helicopter — pluck a man and his dog from waist-deep water and bring him to safety last month at the Carlos Avery State Wildlife Management Area in the north metro. You may have heard about this rescue, but you might not have seen this Anoka County Sheriff's Office footage.
The 69-year-old had been stuck and lost for three hours before calling 911. The Anoka County Sheriff’s Office spotted the man and then two ground personnel made it in to the victim but could not get him out.
MART arrived on scene and was able to lift the man out and to a safe place with rescue personnel. MART then returned and retrieved the ground rescuers, as well as the victim’s canine and shotgun.
MART is a joint effort of St. Paul Fire Department and the State Patrol.
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- DPS Media Availability: Family Offering Reward in Unsolved Hit and Run Crash
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- The family of 29-year-old Derek Fath is asking for the public’s help in solving their son’s death investigation.
Jim and Deb Fath spoke at a news conference, announcing a $5,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in their son’s hit and run.
On Aug. 14 at 5:15 a.m., Fath was hit by a vehicle while walking on Highway 169 at Belle Plaine Trail in Belle Plaine. The Minnesota State Patrol is looking for a 2010 to 2012 Ford Fusion or Mercury Milan spotted at the time of the crash.
Anyone with information is asked to call the West Metro State Patrol at 651-582-1503
- Title
- SPEAK UP: A Teen's Last Text (:60)
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) hopes this new public service announcement encourages drivers to put the phone down and passengers to speak up about distracted driving.
Matt Logan says his daughter Deej was always cautious when driving, until she made one bad choice. It was a choice that ended her life Sept. 4, 2012.
Deej was heading home from her first day of senior year at Byron High School when she decided to compose a text message. Before she could send the text, Deej drove into the back of a school bus and died.
With school back in full swing, Matt is encouraging teens to put the phone down and focus on the road in the new PSAs.
- Title
- DRUGS + YOUR KIDS: Learning to Recognize the Signs
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- As the drug culture changes, parents need to be aware of new products and drug paraphernalia making their way into the hands of teens.
With the school year in full swing, many teens will be tempted by peer pressure to try drugs.
To help educate parents, the Department of Public Safety produced the video, "DRUGS + YOUR KIDS: Learning to Recognize the Signs."
“We know that good kids can make poor decisions,” said Department of Public Safety Commissioner Mona Dohman. “Parents can be the biggest influence in guiding their children in the right direction. This video is a resource in helping parents identify the danger signs of possible drug use.”
- Title
- Foss Family Encourages Motorists to Move Over
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Every day, law enforcement and emergency responders risk their lives on the side of the road to keep you and your loved ones safe on Minnesota roads.
To educate motorists and enforce the Ted Foss Move Over Law, the State Patrol will have extra troopers on Minnesota roads August 31. Corp. Foss' mother spoke last year, making a plea for driver to move over.
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- Minnesota State Patrol @ the 2016 Minnesota State Fair
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Minnesota State Troopers were out at the Great Minnesota Get-Together on Monday. Lt. Robert Zak gives us a rundown of what was on display during State Patrol Day at the Minnesota State Fair.
- Title
- Last Night Out - Friends Don't Let Friends Drink and Drive (:30)
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Last Night Out - Friends Don't Let Friends Drink and Drive (:30)
- Title
- DPS Highlights: Mother Makes Heartbreaking Plea to Motorists to Drive Sober
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Drunk driving not only takes lives, it changes them forever. Drunk driving is preventable, and law enforcement statewide will be focusing on keeping Minnesotans safe as they celebrate the final weeks of summer. More than 300 agencies will be taking drunk drivers off the road as part of the extra DWI enforcement campaign Aug. 19 — Sept. 5.
For the first time since her family’s life-changing crash, Erica Bodell spoke publicly about the injuries to her three children caused by a drunk driver.
The Bodell’s family forever changed Nov. 21, 2015, when a drunk driver in Isanti County hit their vehicle head-on. Erica’s two sons suffered severe injuries, while her daughter Havana, who spent three months at Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare recovering, was paralyzed.
CRASH FACTS:
• Nearly one out of every four deaths on Minnesota roads are drunk driving-related.
• In the last five years (2011 – 2015), there were 462 dru...
- Title
- DPS MIC'D UP: Inside Look At the Forensics of Fire Investigation
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Have you ever been inside a home or building after a structure fire? Have you ever wondered what it’s like to try and put together the pieces to find some answers?
This video gives you a unique behind-the-scenes look as two Minnesota State Fire Marshal Division investigators dig through the rubble at a Twin Cities motel fire.
“This isn’t Hollywood,” says SFMD Investigator Ron Rahman.
- Title
- DPS News Conference: Mother Speaks Out After Drunk Driver Paralyzes Daughter, Seriously Injures Sons
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- For the first time since her family’s life-changing crash, Erica Bodell spoke publicly about the injuries to her three children caused by a drunk driver.
The Bodell’s family forever changed Nov. 21, 2015, when a drunk driver in Isanti County hit their vehicle head-on. Erica’s two sons suffered severe injuries, while her daughter Havana, who spent three months at Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare recovering, was paralyzed.
As the Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety (DPS-OTS) kicks-off the end of summer extra DWI enforcement campaign Aug. 19 – Sept. 5, Erica hopes her story that drunk driving can have life-altering consequences encourages people to think twice before getting behind the wheel after drinking.
CRASH FACTS:
• Nearly one out of every four deaths on Minnesota roads are drunk driving-related.
• In the last five years (2011 – 2015), there were 462 drunk driving-related traffic deaths i...
- Title
- Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Center: Don't Drink and Ride (30)
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Title
- DPS Media Availability: Survivor of Fireworks Blast Speaks About Life-Changing Experience
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- A man who nearly died while using illegal fireworks at a party in Linwood Township, Minn., shared his story publicly for the first time in hopes it will prevent others from the same painful and life-changing experience.
Nick Beheng blew a hole in his chest, damaging vital organs, and tore off part of his thumb in 2012 while using mortar shells he bought in Wisconsin.
Beheng joined Minnesota Department of Public Safety State Fire Marshal Division and Regions Hospital officials at a media availability to encourage safety with fireworks as we gear up for the long Fourth of July holiday weekend.
Fireworks injured 89 people in Minnesota in 2015, 32 of whom were under the age of 19. That’s the highest number of injuries since 2003. Minnesota also had its first-ever fireworks-related fatality in 2015. Fireworks caused nearly $85,000 in property damage last year.
- Title
- DPS Highlights: HSEM Prepares Emergency Personnel for Hazardous Rail Transportation
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- More than 5,000 local emergency managers and first responders across Minnesota have been trained about rail transportation of oil and hazardous substances as a result of legislation signed by Governor Dayton in July of 2014.
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) division, which provides the training, talked about the progress and next steps for the program at a media availability on June 27.
The St. Paul Fire Department is the latest agency to undergo the training. HSEM staff will have trained about 120 firefighters over 10 training sessions that began in May.
Training participants also learn proper response techniques to protect citizens in the event of a derailment.
- Title
- MSP Dashcam: Drivers Narrowly Avoid Head-On Crash near Detroit Lakes
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- This video is a great reminder why giving the road your full attention is so important.
If you were looking down at your phone, would you have been able to avoid this crash? Luckily, the driver of the red car in this dashcam was paying attention and able to stop before being struck by this wrong-way driver June 6 on Highway 59 in Detroit Lakes.
The elderly male driver of the white sedan had just turned from a four-lane highway onto this two-lane road and drove into oncoming traffic.
The man told the trooper he thought the other vehicle was to blame for the near head-on collision. The driver was cited for failure to keep right/over the center line.
