A man deliberately drove his car into a group of people early Sunday morning, hitting and injuring at least six people and damaging two vehicles, according to the Blue Earth County Sheriff's Department.

About 1:50 a.m., police were called to the scene of a hit-and-run accident in a parking lot just blocks from Minnesota State University, Mankato.

The driver fled the scene but was later booked into the Blue Earth County jail on preliminary charges of fourth-degree driving while under the influence and criminal vehicular operation, the sheriff's department said.

Two people injured in the collision were airlifted to St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester and two were treated at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato.

The incident is under investigation, the sheriff's office said.

Sgt. Jeff Knutson of the Mankato Police Department said he couldn't comment on whether the incident was an act of terrorism, but he said if it were, that fact would likely have been included in the department's news release.

More information will be released Monday, Knutson said.

Erin Adler • 612-673-1781