Hankinson Woman Charged in Deadly Bicycle-Vehicle Crash

Danielle Stein faces negligent homicide charges for 2025 incident that killed Mariah Buck

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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Danielle Stein, a 26-year-old woman from Hankinson, North Dakota, has been formally charged with a Class C felony for negligent homicide in connection to a deadly crash last August that killed a bicyclist, Mariah Buck. According to authorities, Stein was traveling between 64-69 mph in a 55 mph zone and using her phone at the time of the collision.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the dangers of distracted and reckless driving, especially in rural areas where bicyclists and pedestrians may be less visible. It also raises questions about enforcement of speed limits and cell phone use laws to prevent similar crashes in the future.

The details

On August 26, 2025, authorities were called to the scene of a crash where Stein's vehicle had struck Buck, who was in the process of making a left turn into her driveway. A crash reconstruction showed that Stein was traveling at a high rate of speed and using her phone at the time of the collision, which led to Buck's death from multiple traumatic injuries.

  • The crash occurred just after 4 p.m. on August 26, 2025.
  • Stein was officially charged on March 6, 2026.

The players

Danielle Stein

A 26-year-old woman from Hankinson, North Dakota, who has been charged with a Class C felony for negligent homicide in connection to the deadly crash.

Mariah Buck

The bicyclist who was killed in the collision with Stein's vehicle.

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What’s next

The judge will need to set a court date for Stein's initial hearing on the negligent homicide charges.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the importance of safe driving practices, including obeying speed limits and avoiding distractions like cell phone use, to protect vulnerable road users like bicyclists. It also highlights the need for continued education and enforcement efforts to prevent similar crashes in the future.