On-duty Rice County deputy in squad car hits, kills woman

A Rice County Sheriff’s Office on-duty deputy hit and killed a woman with their squad car around 2 a.m. Saturday in Morristown.

According to a press release, Sgt. Trevor Peterson was traveling eastbound on the 8000 block of Morristown Boulevard when they struck the person. Peterson is a nearly 12-year veteran of the Rice County Sheriff’s Office.

The sheriff’s office says the squad was not responding to a call at the time. Deputies tried lifesaving efforts, but the woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Rice County Sheriff’s Office identified the woman killed as 52-year-old Stephanie Marie Wesley, of Faribault, Saturday afternoon.

The Minnesota State Patrol is investigating and said that the woman is suspected of being in the roadway.

The Rice County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement “our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time.”