A motorist hit a man walking along a country road in north-central Minnesota, then drove away in an SUV as the victim died in a ditch, authorities said Monday.
Russell M. Auginaush, 35, of Naytahwaush, Minn., was hit about 2:30 p.m. Sunday along Lower Rice Lake Road near the southern Clearwater County community of Rice Lake, according to the Sheriff's Office.
"It's looking like [Auginaush] was in the lane of traffic slightly" at the time he was run over, said Sheriff Darin Halverson. "We don't know for sure yet."
The vehicle suspected as being the one that hit Auginaush was seized later Sunday afternoon at a home not far from the scene, Halverson said. The driver has yet to be located, the sheriff said, adding that they are still trying to narrow down who was behind the wheel.
Anyone with information about the case is urged to call the Sheriff's Office at 1-218-694-6226.
Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482
