Teen Killed In Washington County Motorcycle Crash

WASHINGTON COUNTY, MN — A 17-year-old male from Roseville has died following a crash involving a motorcycle and an SUV in Oak Park Heights Thursday. Declan Ronan Raverty, 17, was riding a 1993 Harley Davidson Roadster northbound on Highway 95 just north of Highway 36. A 2006 Cadillac Escalade being driven by Douglas Arthur Hesley, 73, of Stillwater, was exiting the Sunnyside Marina, attempting to cross Highway 95 to travel southbound.

At 4:43 p.m., the Harley Davidson struck the rear quarter-panel of the Escalade, coming to a rest in the middle of the northbound lanes, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. Raverty was transported to Regions Hospital but died.

Katie Rose Pagel, 20, also of Roseville, suffered non-life threatening injuries as a passenger on the motorcycle. Both Pagel and Raverty were wearing helmets in the crash.

Driver Hesley was not injured in the crash. On scene to assist in the response was the Oak Park Heights Police Department, Washington County Sheriff's Office, Bayport Fire, and Lakeview EMS.

Minnesota Motor Vehicle Crash Facts

The state’s 2015 fatality rate was 0.70 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. The U.S. fatality rate for 2014 (most recent national data) is 1.08. In 2014, Minnesota was behind Massachusetts and Vermont for the lowest fatality rate in the U.S.

The 411 fatalities involve motorists (285); motorcyclists (61); pedestrians (41); bicyclists (10); ATV riders (10); farm equipment occupants (2); commercial bus (1) and one unknown vehicle type, according to the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety.

• Of the 411 fatalities, 95 (23%) were known to be drunk-driving related.
• Of the 411 fatalities, 78 (19%) were known to be speed related.
• Of the 411 fatalities, 74 (18%) were known to be distracted driving related.
• In 2015, there were 29,981 people injured in traffic crashes, of which 1,124 were severe and life altering.

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