Coon Rapids Teen Fatally Struck While Riding Dirt Bike, Raising Safety Concerns

Coon Rapids Teen Fatally Struck While Riding Dirt Bike, Raising Safety Concerns

A 15-year-old Ramsey boy was killed Sunday afternoon after his dirt bike collided with a pickup truck in Coon Rapids, a tragedy that has sparked renewed conversations about youth and road safety.

According to the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office, the crash occurred around 4:40 p.m. on September 7 near the 3300 block of Northdale Boulevard Northwest.

Authorities say Isaiah Lewis Whitlock, 15, had been riding a dirt bike along the southern sidewalk of Northdale Boulevard, traveling northwest. As he reached the intersection with Marigold Street Northwest, he swerved onto the roadway and was struck by a southeastbound pickup truck driven by a 53-year-old Oak Grove man.

Emergency responders from the Coon Rapids Police Department, Fire Department, and Allina EMS arrived quickly, but Whitlock was pronounced dead at the scene. The pickup driver was not injured, and no additional injuries were reported.

The incident remains under investigation by the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office, Coon Rapids Police Department, Minnesota State Patrol, and the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office. Officials have not released further details.

Whitlock’s death was one of three fatal bicycle-related crashes involving pickup trucks in Minnesota over the weekend, underscoring ongoing concerns about the safety of young riders.

Local safety advocates stress that as more teens use dirt bikes, e-bikes, and bicycles, education and awareness are essential. Helmet use, knowledge of traffic laws, and cautious driving on the part of motorists are critical to preventing future tragedies.

“Anytime we lose a young person on our roads, it’s a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly lives can change,” one public safety official said. “This is why continued conversations about safe riding practices and driver attentiveness are so critical.”

As the investigation continues, the Coon Rapids community is left mourning a young life lost too soon, while also reflecting on the urgent need to protect youth on Minnesota roads.

MinneapoliMedia