ME: Woman Died of 'Blunt Force Injuries' After Hit by Car in Maple Grove

The family of a woman hit and killed by a car in Maple Grove says the woman had two children and lost her husband four months ago after a 10-month battle with cancer.

Ann Blake of Andover was meeting her sister, Jean, for shopping and exercise at Arbor Lakes in Maple Grove when she was hit by a car, according to her family. The incident happened near Elm Creek Boulevard and Hemlock Lane, which is near the Shoppes at Arbor Lakes.

Police say Blake was standing on the sidewalk waiting for the light to change when she was hit. The driver also apparently hit a few other cars in the area, police say.

Blake was pronounced dead at the scene and the driver was taken to the hospital. The medical examiner ruled the incident as an accident and said Blake died of "blunt force injuries."

Dr. Andrew Baker with the medical examiner's office tells KSTP.com they use the term "accident" for many motor vehicle fatalities for the purpose of the death certificate, but that doesn’t mean charges won’t be issued or that investigators will rule out malicious intent. "Accident" is strictly used in a medical sense.

Police are investigating whether drugs or alcohol played a role in the incident. They said they received calls about an erratic driver in the area prior to the accident and that’s why they were already on the scene.

The family says Blake worked nights as a cashier for CUB Foods and was active in her church and community. She was also known as an advocate for children with autism because her son is autistic.

The Blake Children’s Fund has been set up in care of Grace Lutheran Church, 13655 Round Lake Blvd., Northwest Andover, MN 55304.

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