An SUV struck and killed a 6-year-old girl who was by herself on a dark highway near Lake Mille Lacs, authorities said Friday.
The crash occurred about 10:45 p.m. Thursday on Hwy. 169 near Twilight Road outside of Onamia, the State Patrol said.
"The child was on the highway in the path of the [southbound SUV] and was struck," a statement from the patrol read.
Emergency responders declared Unique Sincere Beaulieu of Onamia dead at the scene, the patrol said.
"The girl was alone" when she was hit, said Patrol Sgt. Troy Christianson, and "was from the area where she was struck and killed."
The state patrol identified the driver as Anne Marie Reynolds, 48, of nearby Garrison. She was not impaired by drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash and "is cooperating with the investigation," Christianson said.
Christianson said the Mille Lacs County Sheriff's Office is assisting the patrol in the continuing investigation of the incident.
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