Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Health
Kirsti Marohn
Brainerd, Minn.

Deadly ATV crashes surge in Minnesota in October

Kyle Wiechmann navigates an obstacle
Kyle Wiechmann, 13, Becker, navigates an obstacle course while Benton County Deputy Sheriff Tim Kosel looks on during a hands-on ATV safety class for ages 10-15, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022, in Foley, Minn. Behind them, Jake Gruis, 12, Zimmerman, moves through another section of the course.
Kimm Anderson for MPR News file

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Quick Read

Eighteen people have died in all-terrain vehicle crashes in Minnesota so far this year, including six fatalities in October alone.

It's been a deadly month for off-highway vehicle riders in Minnesota.

Eighteen people have died in all-terrain vehicle crashes in Minnesota so far this year, including six fatalities in October alone.

That includes 47-year-old Jacob Jeurissen of Big Lake and his 18-year-old daughter, Kiara Jeurissen, who died in an ATV accident in Aitkin County on Oct. 16. The side-by-side vehicle they were riding in left a road and rolled multiple times. Authorities said speed may have been a factor.

Most fatal crashes occur when ATVs are traveling along roads or in road ditches, not on the state’s trail system, said Corey Wiebusch, statewide recreational vehicle coordinator for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. He said the vehicles are not designed to ride on paved surfaces.

“I think speed is a huge part of it.” Wiebusch said. “These things are being manufactured bigger and faster, and you can go highway speeds. All it takes is one little ‘oops’ and next thing you know, you're going sideways."

Wiebusch said an ATV’s deep-treaded tires are designed to grip rugged terrain. One wrong move, and the tires will grab onto a soft surface along a road’s edge and cause the vehicle to flip, he said.

Not wearing seat belts or helmets are also common factors in fatal crashes, Wiebusch said.

Riders under the age of 18 are required to wear a helmet anytime they’re riding an off-highway vehicle, and the DNR recommends helmets for all riders. And people riding a class 2 or side-by-side ATV should always wear a seatbelt to avoid being ejected in a rollover.

All-terrain vehicle use has surged as an outdoor recreational activity across Minnesota, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, and the number of registered ATVs has been on the rise.

Last year, 22 people died in ATV crashes in Minnesota. The previous year, 2024, had a record-breaking number of fatalities with 32. Kids under age 18 made up a significant portion of those deaths.

Safety training is required for all ATV operators who were born on or after July 1, 1987, and it’s recommended for all riders.

Rollovers are a serious danger when children are driving vehicles that are too large for them. ATVs have a high center of gravity, making them prone to tipping if they get off balance. With the increased size of all-terrain vehicles, there’s a greater risk of the vehicle rolling over on top of the rider.

Parents should always supervise young riders, Wiebusch said.

“These machines are fast and they’re aggressive,” he said. “A lot of times, whether it’s a class 1 or a class 2, these young riders aren’t strong enough to handle when your machine is being pulled one way and you want it to go the other way.”