Teen BMW Driver Charged After Fatal Crash While Distracted by Phone

A 17-year-old driver in Minnesota has been charged with criminal vehicular homicide after a crash that killed a 70-year-old grandmother and injured a pregnant woman. The incident occurred in December 2025 when the teen, distracted by his phone, slammed into a Jeep driven by Linda Davis as she prepared to turn outside her home in Champlin. The impact sent the Jeep into oncoming traffic, where it was struck by another vehicle, forcing the pregnant woman inside to undergo an emergency C-section. Both she and her unborn child survived, though the mother sustained injuries.

According to crash reports, the teen’s BMW was traveling at a high rate of speed and failed to slow down before colliding with Davis’ Jeep. Investigators found that the teen had been actively using his phone from 3:20 p.m. until the crash occurred at approximately 3:28 p.m., including multiple interactions with an application on the device. Despite claiming his brakes were slow, evidence from the phone exam contradicts this claim. Following the crash, the teen allegedly called his mother before dialing 911.

Linda Davis, described as the “heartbeat of her family,” was a devoted wife, loving mother, and adoring grandmother who had recently celebrated her 70th birthday. Her death left a profound void in her family, as she was known for her unwavering faith and decades of service to her church community alongside her husband, Bill.

The teen, now 18, is being prosecuted in juvenile court. Court documents reveal that the crash report and phone evidence were obtained through a search warrant, shedding light on the moments leading up to the fatal collision. The incident highlights the dangers of distracted driving and underscores the need for accountability in cases where negligence results in loss of life.