Two people were killed early Thursday when they were struck by a car in Pine County after they got out of their vehicles to inspect damage from a minor crash, authorities said.

The two were struck by a 1994 Buick Roadmaster driven by Martin E. Patterson, 44, of Rutledge, Minn., just before 6:30 a.m. near Milepoint 75 on Hwy. 18.

Ronnie L. Colsch, 68, of Caledonia, Minn., and a 63-year-old man from Finlayson, Minn., whose name has not been released, were killed, according to the State Patrol. The two were standing on the road after a 2012 Chrysler 300 driven by Colsch sideswiped a semitrailer truck being driven by the second man as it backed into a driveway.

Patterson suffered noncritical injuries. Alcohol was not a factor, the patrol said.

STAFF REPORT