Tragedy struck early Sunday morning near Cambridge, Minnesota. A newly-licensed, 16-year-old-driver hit another vehicle at 2:40 a.m. The teen driver survived, but the four passengers in her vehicle died; as did the the two occupants of the other vehicle.

The 16-year-old was traveling east on Hwy 95, driving a 1998 Pontiac Grand Am, when she struck a westbound 2000 Oldsmobile Bravada. The roads were wet at the time of the crash. The name of the teen driver has not been released, because she is a minor and there is the possibility of criminal charges being brought against her.

The passengers in the Grand Am were: Kelsee Blackledge, 15; Stephen Kendryna, 16; Travis Buchan, 17; and Travis Gryczkowski, 21. The names of the deceased in the Bravada have not been released pending identification.

The Minnesota State Patrol was on the scene with the Braham Police Department, Cambridge Police Department, Isanti County Sheriff Office, and the Isanti Police Department. The driver of the Grand Am was wearing a seatbelt, but it appears that the other occupants were not buckled up. The accident is under investigation to see if alcohol played a role in the crash.

This was the third crash this weekend involving teen drivers on Minnesota roads. All three of the crashes involved fatalities.

Help For Victims’ Families

Our hearts go out to the families of the victims of these crashes. Nothing can be done to change the outcome of a tragic accident, but counseling, education, and getting involved with proactive, safety groups (like SADD or MADD) can help those left behind work through grief and benefit others.

If you want any information about your legal rights, call a Minneapolis injury lawyer at TSR Injury Law at (612) TSR-TIME or submit our contact form. Our lawyers are skilled, aggressive litigators. We can review your options and help in any way. The phone call is free.