Ricki Larson Killed in St. Paul Bicycle Accident
The cyclist suffered a fatal head injury after a driver opened a vehicle door into his path on Highland Parkway
Ricki Larson was killed in a bicycle crash on Highland Parkway on June 27, according to the St. Paul Police Department.
A driver parked a vehicle and opened the door into the path of the oncoming cyclist. The impact caused the rider to suffer a severe head injury.
Paramedics took Larson to Regions Hospital for treatment. He was removed from life support days later and pronounced dead.
The driver remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. No citations or arrests were immediately reported.
The St. Paul Police Department continues to investigate the collision.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1,166 bicyclists were killed in traffic crashes nationwide in 2023.
The loss of a family member in a sudden traffic collision leaves relatives facing deep grief and complex administrative hurdles. While police continue to review the circumstances of the dooring incident on Highland Parkway, independent investigations are often necessary to preserve evidence.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "Bicyclists moving through shared roadway environments face constant danger from opening vehicle doors, since minimal protection leaves catastrophic injury possible even at fairly modest speeds. Sudden door movement gives almost no time to react."
"An attorney can step in quickly, preserving surveillance footage, coordinating with reconstruction specialists, and protecting surviving relatives through a difficult claim," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
How do investigators evaluate dooring collisions in St. Paul?
Minnesota data indicates that approximately eight bicyclists are killed annually across the state, highlighting the ongoing risks vulnerable road users face.
What legal options exist for families after a fatal bicycle accident?
Minnesota wrongful death statute
Under Minn. Stat. § 573.02, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. Minnesota applies modified comparative fault (51% bar). The statute of limitations is 3 years.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of companionship and guidance, funeral expenses, and the estate's losses.
"Funeral expenses, lost wages, and mounting household bills create sudden, serious financial strain for surviving relatives. Calculating fair compensation for those losses requires careful documentation, patient negotiation, and steady follow through, work a legal team routinely handles for affected families," noted Stefano Formica, a national legal analyst for Accident News and of counsel at Bond Legal.