Eight Seconds: One Fatal Distraction

It’s a story about eight seconds that forever changed the lives of two families. Eight seconds a distracted driver wishes he could take back. In the Minnesota Department of Public Safety video, “Eight Seconds: One Fatal Distraction," Sam Hicks discusses the moments leading up to the fatal crash that took the life of 54-year old Robert Bursik and the message he wants to share with drivers. On Feb. 27, 2018, Hicks was driving on Highway 36 when he looked down at his phone for eight seconds after receiving a text from his girlfriend at the time about a house listing. Hicks says, “I do pray people learn from my mistake and avoid distracted driving!” Bursik was a husband and father of three at the time he died. Bursik’s wife and daughter are also featured in the video.