A Royalton, Minn., woman died Tuesday afternoon when her vehicle crashed in Benton County, just down the road from her home.

Sheriff's deputies responded to a single-vehicle accident in the 6000 block of Canary Road NW., a few miles south of Royalton, about 4:30 p.m. The vehicle, a 2005 Ford Escape driven by Patricia Palmer, 74, had left the road and hit a tree, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Efforts to revive Palmer were unsuccessful, and she was pronounced dead at the scene. She was wearing a seat belt while driving on the road lined with residences and cabins, Sheriff Troy Heck said.

Deputies are continuing to investigate the crash.

Pam Louwagie