State Patrol: Teen Killed In Maple Grove Crash
MAPLE GROVE, Minn. (WCCO) -- A teenager is dead after a fiery car crash in Maple Grove.
It happened on Highway 610 just before 10 p.m. Friday night. The Minnesota State Patrol says 17-year-old Matthew Jasicki lost control of his car just before the bridge at Maple Grove Parkway and he crashed into the embankment.
"It's kind of surreal," Jasicki's friend Max Larsen said. "He was a great kid."
Jasicki's friends were stopping by the site of the crash shortly after they found out about the news Saturday morning. They created a memorial with flowers and crosses.
Jasicki was from Brooklyn Park and his friends say he was a junior at Totino-Grace High School who loved baseball. They said his death is particularly cruel as he loved cars and even talked about a potential career in that field someday.
"His room full of car posters and everything," friend Trevor Leaf said. "He just loved talking about cars, that was his thing."
Friends and strangers have been flooding social media with comments and prayers for the teen.
On Instagram, one user wrote: "I'll miss you forever Matthew. Rest in Peace my best friend." And, "I swear this can't be real."
According to the crash report, Jasicki was driving at a high speed before the accident. He was the only person in the vehicle.
The Jasicki family issued a statement Saturday night.
"Our family is in shock over this tragic loss. Matthew was a strong, smart, outgoing young man. He excelled in sports and loved camping, four wheeling, and just being outdoors with his family. He had a very bright future ahead of him. His spark and passion was put out far too soon . We do not know all of the circumstances around this horrible accident. Matthew did struggle with the burden of depression. We want to encourage anyone facing this disease, or if you know someone who is, to please seek help. Do not suffer in silence. We have a lot facing us in the days, months, and even years to come. We ask that you please respect our privacy, allow our family, and friends to heal and process this sudden, and tragic loss, of a wonderful young man taken from us too soon."