Distracted Driving Leads to Two-Vehicle Crash at Pilot Knob and Diamond Path in Apple Valley
APPLE VALLEY, MINNESOTA - A two-vehicle crash caused by distracted driving left one motorist trapped and overturned Monday afternoon at the intersection of Pilot Knob Road and Diamond Path, according to a police crash report from the Apple Valley Police Department.
The crash occurred around 3:00 p.m. on October 13, 2025. The Apple Valley Police, Apple Valley Fire, and Allina Health paramedics all responded to the scene. Authorities say the crash involved a 2022 Chevrolet Trax, driven by a 16-year-old male from Eagan, and a 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe, driven by a 57-year-old female from Apple Valley.
The Crash
According to the report, the Chevrolet Trax was traveling south on Pilot Knob Road in the left lane when the 16-year-old driver reportedly became distracted by his cellphone. The driver told officers that his phone had disconnected from the vehicle’s system. As he attempted to fix the connection, he looked down to adjust it manually. He admitted that he was “looking down” and did not know what color the traffic light was when he entered the controlled intersection at Pilot Knob Road and Diamond Path. Moments later, he looked up, saw another vehicle, and “slammed on his brakes as hard as he could,” according to the report.
Inside the Trax, a passenger confirmed that she was also looking down at her phone at the time of the collision and was unable to recall the traffic signal color or direction of travel. She was reportedly uninjured in the crash.
Vehicle Overturned and Driver Trapped
The 57-year-old driver of the Chevrolet Tahoe told responding officers that she had a solid green light as she entered the intersection when the southbound Trax struck her vehicle broadside. The force of the impact caused the Tahoe to overturn, landing on its roof. When emergency crews arrived, they found the woman trapped inside the overturned vehicle, suspended upside down. Apple Valley Fire Department personnel performed mechanical extrication to remove her from the wreckage safely.
Allina Health paramedics transported both drivers to nearby medical facilities for evaluation.
An additional witness at the scene was interviewed but could not provide information regarding the signal light color or the direction of either vehicle.
Aftermath and Citation
Both vehicles sustained severe, disabling damage and were towed from the scene. Police cited the 16-year-old Eagan driver for distracted driving, noting that his inattention was a contributing factor in the crash.
This crash is a good reminder to motorists that even a brief distraction, such as reaching for a cellphone, can have serious and potentially life-threatening consequences.
Apple Valley Police Report Crash Diagram.
Written by: Will Wight
Get Limitless Media News on Google Play!
Get Limitless Media News on the Apple App Store!
