A 57-year-old woman has died after being hit by a car near Lake Minnetonka.

The woman was walking in the 2600 block of Arcola Lane in Minnetonka Beach, a small town on a peninsula, when a car struck her about 8:30 p.m. Thursday, according to Orono police.

Officers arrested the driver, David Christopher Meder, 57, who lives on the street.

While the cause of the accident remains under investigation, police said they believe alcohol may have contributed to the crash.

The victim, who hasn't yet been identified, was taken to North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale, where she died.

Police declined Friday to release more information about where the pedestrian was walking and whether the driver was arrested at the scene. Meder is in Hennepin County jail pending charges related to criminal vehicular operation resulting in a death.

KELLY SMITH