An off-duty St. Cloud police officer, Ryan Matthew Ebert, 44, of Big Lake, died Saturday, October 18, at Hennepin County Medical Center, five days after crashing his pickup truck into the back of a transit bus in Apple Valley. He had been in critical condition since the accident, which occurred on Monday, October 13. St. Cloud Police Chief Jeffrey Oxton said Ebert was surrounded by family and friends at the time of his passing and that, in his final act of service, he became an organ donor.
According to the Minnesota State Patrol, Ebert was driving a 2024 Ram 1500 northbound on Highway 77 when he collided with a 2018 transit bus and a cable barrier just before 10 p.m. Investigators initially reported that alcohol was believed to be a factor in the crash, but Chief Oxton disputed that claim, saying medical tests told a different story. “It’s important to know that blood samples taken upon Ryan’s arrival at the hospital showed only a trace amount of alcohol in his system—far below any level that would indicate impairment or intoxication,” Oxton said in a statement released Friday. He also noted that some media coverage of the crash had been misleading because those early reports didn’t have access to Ebert’s medical information. The family later authorized the release of those records to clarify the situation.
Ebert suffered what officials described as “non-survivable injuries.” According to the crash report, he was not wearing a seat belt at the time, though his vehicle’s airbag deployed on impact. Emergency responders rushed him to Hennepin County Medical Center, where he remained in critical condition until his death.
The bus driver, identified as 65-year-old Phillip Alan Wright of Apple Valley, was wearing a seat belt and suffered minor injuries. He was taken to M Health Fairview Ridges Hospital in Burnsville for treatment.
Ebert had served with the St. Cloud Police Department since 2006, working in both patrol and investigations. Chief Oxton described him as a dedicated officer who was deeply committed to his work and his community. “Our department is devastated by this loss,” he said. “For all of us grieving this tragedy, it’s important that the cause of the accident not be judged prematurely. We ask that everyone keep Ryan, his family, our department, and everyone affected in their thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time.”
A GoFundMe campaign organized by Ebert’s friend, Tonya Eggers, shared that he leaves behind two teenage children, ages 18 and 17. “Ryan was a devoted father whose greatest priority was always the well-being of his kids,” Eggers wrote. “His family is now facing a time filled with unexpected and overwhelming challenges.” The fundraiser aims to help support the children as they navigate life after the loss of their father.
Ebert’s death has left a deep void among his colleagues and the community he served for nearly two decades. As the Minnesota State Patrol continues its investigation into the crash, his department and loved ones are remembering him not just as a police officer but as a father, friend, and man who dedicated his life to helping others—even in death, through organ donation.
