More than two years after 19-year-old Carter Haithcock was struck, killed and left on the side of a northern Minnesota highway, the former Democratic Party leader who admitted leaving the scene was sentenced to less than a year in jail on Monday.
Cynthia “Cyndy” Martin, the former chair of the 8th Congressional District DFL, received the sentence outlined in her plea agreement: 364 days in jail, five years of supervised probation, 100 hours of community service, a $1,085 fine, a substance abuse assessment and a psychological evaluation.
The sentence also includes a provision requiring Martin to return to jail every year on July 3 — the anniversary of Haithcock’s death — from 7 p.m. until 9 a.m. on July 5 during each year of her probation.
Martin pleaded guilty to one count of criminal vehicular homicide involving a driver who leaves the scene of a collision, a felony under Minnesota law.
According to prosecutors, Martin struck Haithcock with her SUV on Highway 169 near Nashwauk on July 3, 2024, then drove away.
Investigators later identified Martin’s vehicle through surveillance video and forensic evidence, including a damaged SUV with a nonfunctioning passenger-side headlight, front-end damage, windshield cracks and fabric on the hood that investigators said matched the sweatshirt Haithcock was wearing.
Martin contacted authorities the following morning, telling a dispatcher she believed she “may have been involved” in the crash. According to charging documents, she later told investigators she thought she had struck “an owl or a turkey.”
The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office determined Haithcock died from extensive blunt-force injuries, including a fractured skull and a severed cervical spine.
Prominent Democrats vouch for Martin
Just days before sentencing, Martin’s attorneys filed more than 40 pages of character references from friends, family members, political allies and community leaders asking the court to consider her decades of volunteer work and public service when imposing the sentence.
Among the most prominent supporters was former Minnesota House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler, who wrote that Martin had “earned the benefit of the doubt” and that he would “always trust Cyndy Martin to be a good person and do the right thing.”
Winkler described Martin as a compassionate community leader who had devoted countless hours to volunteer work throughout northeastern Minnesota.
Former DFL state Rep. Joe Radinovich also submitted a lengthy letter defending Martin’s character while acknowledging the tragedy that claimed Haithcock’s life.
“A lot of the coverage around Carter’s death and the subsequent court proceedings has focused on Cyndy’s involvement in politics,” Radinovich wrote, arguing that Martin’s years as a Democratic activist had, to some extent, “colored the public’s view of this whole devastating affair.”
Radinovich also acknowledged that writing the letter carried political risk.
“As someone who has been involved in politics most of my adult life, I recognize that writing this letter may be used against me some day,” he wrote, adding that he loves Martin “like I do any of my truest friends.”
Former longtime DFL state Rep. Loren Solberg also submitted a letter describing Martin as someone with “a strong constitution of principles and kindness” whom he had never seen treat others unkindly despite political disagreements.
Alpha News has reported extensively on Martin’s role within the Minnesota DFL following the crash.
Shortly after Haithcock’s death, Alpha News contacted the Itasca County DFL, where Martin was vice chair, about reports that Martin had been involved in a fatal hit-and-run.
The local party responded at the time that “The accident has nothing to do with Itasca County DFL.”
When asked again, the organization added: “Accidents happen; the accident is under investigation; the accident has nothing to do with Itasca County DFL. End of ‘story.'”
Martin remained chair of the 8th Congressional District DFL until December 2025.
Jenna Gloeb
Jenna Gloeb is an Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist, media producer, public speaker, and screenwriter. Most recently, she worked as a reporter and on-air host for CCX Media. Jenna is a Minnesota native and resides in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, daughter, and two dogs.
