Mother of 3 killed in head-on crash in central Minnesota

Lindsay Cardinal was the mother of three children who were the center of her world. She also was a mother to many in the communities surrounding her Foreston home ­— the type of person who went the extra mile to care for those in need.

"She loved life and was a kind person to everybody," said her best friend, Stephanie Hurt. "She was a matriarch in every phase of the word."

Cardinal had her children with her on Tuesday evening as she drove west on Hwy. 23 about 6 p.m. As she neared 11th Avenue in Foley, an allegedly drunken driver crossed the centerline and hit her Chevrolet Tahoe head-on. Cardinal died at the scene.

Two of her children, Evelyn, 1, and Wyatt, 4, were injured and taken to St. Cloud Hospital where they were listed in fair condition, a hospital spokeswoman said.

The third child, 5-year-old Lillian, was not hurt, the State Patrol said.

The other driver, who was in a Yukon, suffered serious injuries and was identified as Kevin Couch, 29, of Milaca.

An incident report said that drugs, alcohol or both likely were a factor. A passenger in Couch's vehicle, Nicole Schmidt, 24, of Milaca, was taken to North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale with life-threatening injuries, the patrol said.

Couch's record shows convictions for burglary, fleeing a police officer, drug possession, assault, domestic assault, domestic abuse, violating a no-contact order and two driving-while-intoxicated charges, according to court records. Couch also was taken to North Memorial.

As news of the crash spread, Cardinal's friends and family members took to social media to express shock, anger and anguish over the loss of a vibrant stay-at-home mother with the contagious smile, described by many as radiant and selfless.

"She was an absolutely amazing mother," Hurt said. "It was a dream for her to stay at home with her kids."

Cardinal, 35, was devoted to her husband, Matt, a veteran who works as a wheeled vehicle mechanic at Camp Ripley as a member of the Minnesota National Guard. He's also a volunteer firefighter.

"She was passionate about helping with military events," Hurt said. "Matt always said volunteer firefighters are only as strong as the support system at home." And Lindsay was that, she said.

Outside the home, Lindsay Cardinal was a board member for Women in Need of Kindness, a Little Falls nonprofit that provides emotional and financial support to those fighting cancer.

Cardinal grew up in Stillwater and graduated from Stillwater Area High School in 2000. She attended St. Cloud State University where she played rugby, another passion of hers, Hurt said.

"She was a joyful soul and loved life," said longtime friend Jessie Hauck. "I'm so heartbroken for her husband, Matt. He loved Lindsay so much, and those babies — their lives [are] forever changed. I wish that driver would have made a better choice that night."

Tim Harlow • 612-673-7768