Minneapolis, Minnesota
Date of Crash: Wednesday, April 25, 2012
At only 18 years old and just a month away from graduating high school, Andrew Dudley’s life was tragically taken in a crash caused by a distracted driver.
Andrew was on his way home from his church youth group meeting, riding his bike along Shady Oak Road in Minneapolis. As he traveled north on the southbound side of the road, a driver turned right onto Shady Oak Road while talking on her cell phone. She didn’t see Andrew until it was too late.
The driver struck him head-on, sending him onto the windshield. Andrew then fell to the ground, where the driver ran over him. By the time his parents arrived at the scene, emergency responders had already placed Andrew in an ambulance. They would never see him alive again.
John Dudley, Andrew’s father, remembers receiving the phone call no parent should ever have to hear. “At 8:40 pm, I got the call from Andrew’s youth pastor that no parent wants to get.”
A Devastating Loss for Family and Friends
Andrew was a young man full of promise, with a deep faith and a love for helping others. His sudden death left a void in the lives of his parents, friends, and community. Those who knew him described him as kind, driven, and someone who left a lasting impact.
The Dangers of Distracted Driving
Andrew’s story highlights the dangers that distracted driving poses not just to other drivers but to vulnerable road users like cyclists and pedestrians. It’s a reminder of how one moment of distraction can have irreversible consequences.
When we choose to drive without distractions, we make the roads safer for everyone. Small, deliberate choices—putting down the phone, focusing on the road—can save lives and honor the memory of young people like Andrew, who should still be here with us.
Andrew’s life, though far too short, continues to inspire others to think carefully about their own habits behind the wheel. By spreading his story, his family hopes to bring about lasting change and prevent other lives from being lost.
