A 68-year-old man was fatally struck by a vehicle in Park Rapids, Minnesota. The incident occurred along Highway 34, an area northwest of Brainerd.
The victim, identified as Willard Pietela, sustained critical injuries from the collision and was rushed to the hospital. Despite medical efforts, Pietela was pronounced dead. The driver, a 37-year-old woman behind the wheel of her Jeep, initially believed she had hit an animal, FOX 9 reported. Her phone was dead, and amid the traffic, she claimed that she was unable to stop immediately. She returned to the scene but took off once she saw the emergency response. It was only later that she dialed 911 to report the incident.
Law enforcement officers who responded to the report indicated that the victim had been drinking before the incident, a factor that is being considered in the ongoing investigation. The driver of the vehicle has been cooperative with investigators and returned to the crash location, according to information obtained by WCCO. Talks of potential charges against her are underway, but no formal recommendations have been made public at this time.
The Minnesota State Patrol is conducting a thorough review of the evidence, while locals may hope for closure in an already challenging time of year. The State Patrol has yet to release details on whether the driver will face charges.
