Trial set for August in 2024 Nashwauk criminal vehicular homicide case

GRAND RAPIDS — The criminal vehicular homicide case involving the 2024 death of an Itasca County teenager is set to go to trial later this year.

Cynthia "Cyndy" Martin, 65, of rural Grand Rapids was charged in November 2024. That July, she struck 19-year-old Carter Haithcock near Nashwauk before briefly stopping and driving away, allegedly unaware that she hit a person.

At a pretrial hearing Monday, Feb. 23, Martin’s defense indicated they are still trying to reach a plea agreement. Her attorney, Derek Hansen, told Judge Heidi Chandler they are hoping offering Martin’s therapy records to the state will "move the needle.”

In November 2025, Itasca County Attorney Jacob Fauchald said his office’s position is Martin would need to admit to the crime as charged.

“We don’t really have a plea offer beyond her pleading straight up and facing the consequences associated with that charge,” he said at the time.

Past Coverage

Northern MN DFL party official resigns 1 year after vehicular homicide charge

Cyndy Martin’s resignation came one day before the DFL’s State Central Committee was scheduled to meet. The committee is the governing body of the party that meets three to four times each year.

DFL stands by Northland party official charged with vehicular homicide

The incident has split Democrats between those who believe due process should play out for the accused and those who believe a personal scandal will derail the goals of the party in northern Minnesota.

Grand Rapids DFL organizer pleads not guilty in vehicular homicide

Itasca County Attorney Jacob Fauchald expects the case to eventually go to trial, but there may be more legal maneuvering before then. Martin's next appearance is set for February 2026.

Itasca County judge declines to dismiss deadly Nashwauk hit-and-run case

The judge further ruled that evidence gathered as part of a driving-while-intoxicated investigation will remain in the case record and scheduled a plea hearing.

Itasca County judge denies change of venue for Nashwauk hit-and-run case

Cynthia "Cyndy" Martin's defense argued pretrial publicity prevented a fair trial. But Judge Heidi Chandler said the prosecution's proposed mitigation measures would keep things just.

Trooper testifies as defense challenges evidence in Nashwauk hit-and-run

Cynthia "Cyndy" Martin, 65, allegedly hit and killed 19-year-old Carter Haithcock with her car on Highway 169 near Nashwauk before driving away on July 3, 2024.

Itasca County DFL organizer charged with criminal vehicular manslaughter

Cynthia "Cyndy" Martin was charged in the hit-and-run of a Goodland teenager. She'll make her first court appearance on Dec. 26, 2024.

The felony charge Martin faces for criminal vehicular homicide and leaving the scene carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a fine of $20,000 or both.

Chandler declined to set another plea hearing and instead set a trial date of Aug. 31. Assistant county attorney Courtney Beck estimated the trial could take up to two weeks.

Martin’s defense has attempted to have the case dismissed, to suppress evidence or move to another venue, all of which Chandler has denied.

Some of these motions stemmed from the significant public attention the case has garnered, in part due to Martin's past leadership positions in the local DFL. Martin resigned from those positions in December 2025, shortly after reporting from the Minnesota Reformer highlighted a split in party support.

The parties will again appear in court Aug. 3 for another pretrial hearing, where they will discuss evidence to be presented at trial and jury instructions and selections.