On September 10, 2025, at approximately 5:45 P.M. Deputies from the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a 2 vehicle crash near the intersection of Northfield Blvd. And Joan Ave. In Marshan Township, Dakota County, MN. Upon arrival deputies located two vehicles involved, each with 1 occupant/driver. The 2014 Blue Ford Escape, Vehicle 1 herein, was driven by MARGARET ELIZABETH EVANS [DOB REDACTED], the Defendant herein, and the victim was driving a 2022 Gray GMC Acadia, Vehicle 2 herein.
Vehicle 2 was facing south on Northfield Blvd., stopped in the left turn lane at the intersection of Northfield Blvd. And Joan Ave. To turn south onto Joan Ave. To the right of the Vehicle 2, there was a bypass lane for vehicles that were not turning onto Joan Ave and were going to continue traveling south on Northfield Blvd. While the victim [NAME REDACTED] onto Joan Avenue, she looked in her rearview mirror and saw Vehicle 1 coming up behind her at fast speeds and not slowing down at all. The victim honked her horn to try and get Vehicle 1 to slow down.
Vehicle 1 rear ended Vehicle 2, causing Vehicle 2 to cross over the northbound lane of Northfield Blvd. And through the Joan Avenue intersection into a ditch. The Defendant was not intending to turn onto Joan Avenue but failed to stay in the bypass lane. There was an eyewitness, Witness 1 who provided deputies with a similar version of events as outlined above, which matched what the victim reported. Witness 1 stated that the victim reported of pain and dizziness, and he stayed with her until medical professionals arrived.
A second eyewitness, Witness 2, stopped and was checking on the Defendant. The Defendant asked Witness 2 to help her locate her phone as she believed it was in her purse, which was on the floorboard of the front passenger side. Ultimately deputies located the Defendant’s phone inside the deployed steering wheel airbag. Deputies went to put the phone into airplane mode and when they swiped to do so, it unlocked the phone and showed an active mobile game. Thereafter, the deputies put the phone into airplane mode.
Deputies spoke to the Defendant, and she stated she had stopped at Kwik Trip and before leaving, she messaged a couple friends. The defendant provided a receipt from Kwik Trip for a purchase at 5:37 P.M. After leaving Kwik Trip, the Defendant drove southbound on Northfield Blvd. The Defendant stated 2 19HA-CR-25-2075 Filed in District Court State of Minnesota 12/4/2025 she was driving 60 mph because that is what she set the cruise control at. The speed limit on the road was 55 mph. She stated that she had a game up on her phone to earn points, but that she doesn’t have to touch it to earn points, and she was just letting it run.
