Beloved Minnesota Pastor and 3-Year-Old Son Killed in Trailer Tire Accident

Stephen and Katie Clayton, a pastor and his wife, were among four family members killed in a tragic accident on October 12. The incident occurred when a tire from a trailer detached on Interstate 90 in South Dakota, striking their minivan as they traveled home from visiting Katie’s parents in Spearfish. Stephen Clayton, 31, served as a pastor at Becker Evangelical Free Church in Minnesota. He was driving the van, and his 3-year-old son, David, died in the crash. Katie Clayton, who was 28 weeks pregnant, suffered facial and jaw fractures and underwent reconstructive surgery. Their 11-month-old son, John, and Katie’s preborn child were unharmed.

The accident involved a 2012 Dodge Ram 2500 pickup towing a stock trailer. The tire came loose and crossed into the eastbound lanes, hitting the family’s 2015 Honda Odyssey in Brule County. The tire shattered the windshield and tore open the roof of the van. The pickup driver, a 54-year-old from Plankinton, was not injured. The crash highlights the unpredictable nature of such incidents and the profound impact they can have on families.

Steven Lee, a pastor at The North Church in Mounds View, Minnesota, and a trustee of Bethlehem College and Seminary, shared a tribute to Stephen Clayton. Lee had counseled the couple before their marriage and officiated their 2022 wedding in South Dakota. Clayton had worked as Lee’s ministry assistant for three years while Lee was a seminary student, and the two men maintained a close relationship. Clayton earned his degree from Bethlehem Seminary in Minneapolis and began serving at Becker Evangelical Free Church in 2024.

Lee described Clayton as humble, thoughtful, and committed to learning. He noted Clayton’s background in a professional orchestra in Canada and his quiet demeanor. Clayton had grown more patient as a pastor after starting a family. The two men last met for lunch on May 7, where Clayton discussed the challenges and rewards of his ministry. Lee expressed deep sorrow over the loss, calling Clayton a pastor, husband, father, son, and friend. He requested prayers for Katie, John, and the wider family.

The family established a GoFundMe page to support Katie’s medical expenses and recovery. The tragedy has left the community in mourning, underscoring the fragility of life and the importance of caring for one another. The incident serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance and compassion in the face of unexpected hardship.

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