She Blamed The Sun. Police Say Her Snapchatting Killed A Motorcyclist.

ANOKA COUNTY, MN — A 31-year-old St. Francis woman blamed the sun for causing a crash that killed a motorcyclist in Anoka County last fall, but investigators determined distracted driving was to blame, according to police.

Jessica M. Pietrzak was charged Thursday with one count of criminal vehicular homicide (operating a Vehicle in a grossly negligent manner). If convicted, she faces up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.

Pietrzak had a prior conviction for violating Minnesota’s "hands-free" law in October 2024.

Just before noon on Oct. 5, the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office responded to a crash near 3200 Viking Boulevard Northwest in Oak Grove.

A Chevy Traverse struck a motorcyclist from behind while he was waiting to turn, according to the criminal complaint.

The driver and sole occupant of the Traverse was identified as Jessica Pietrzak. The motorcyclist was thrown from his bike and died at the scene.

Several witnesses saw the crash, and surveillance footage from a nearby gas station captured the collision. One witness reported that the motorcycle was stationary and waiting to turn when it was hit from behind, police said.

The witness said he didn't know the vehicle's speed but did know it was "not slow," the criminal complaint states.

Another witness reported that Pietrzak initially made a statement about being on her phone and not paying attention, according to police. As more people arrived, Pietrzak claimed the sun was in her eyes, the criminal complaint states.

At the time of the crash, the sun was high in the sky and to the southeast, so officers deemed it unlikely to have impaired her vision or to have been a factor in the crash, according to authorities.

Police said a forensic examination of Pietrzak’s phone showed it was "nearly in constant use leading up to the collision."

The criminal complaint reveals the following activity leading up to the 11:55:17 crash:

• 11:53:46–11:54:42: Active on Snapchat
• 11:54:17: Received a text message saying, "Me Too! It’s been too long"
• 11:54:21–11:54:53: Actively typing and using the MobileSMS app
• 11:54:43: Notification cleared from the device
• 11:55:06–11:55:42: Using the Apple "Find My" app

The Minnesota State Patrol’s crash reconstruction report found that weather, road conditions, mechanical issues, and sun glare were not factors in the crash.

It was a clear day with dry roads, 10-mile visibility, and a level roadway, authorities said.

Pietrzak’s speed at impact was estimated between 45 and 53 mph, below the posted speed limit. Data showed her vehicle was accelerating for five seconds before the crash, with no braking.

Investigators concluded that Pietrzak’s failure to maintain forward awareness caused the crash.

The report stated the collision would not have occurred if she had not been using her phone.