On the first anniversary of the hit-and-run death of Dr. Cathy Donovan, her family and law enforcement announced a new reward of $25,000 for information leading to an arrest in the case. 

Donovan, a 56-year-old who had been a family doctor for nearly 30 years, was hit while walking her dogs on the side of Highway 169 in Onamia exactly one year ago. The driver never stopped.

Donovan’s sisters, Dr. Robin Councilman and Christy Pemberton, were joined by Dr. Arden Virnig — the chief of staff at Mille Lacs Health System, where Donovan worked — and Mille Lacs County Sheriff Kyle Burton near the on Highway 169 where she was struck and killed.

Councilman recalled the news conference her family held nearly a year ago offering a $10,000 reward for information in the case. That reward has now been raised to $25,000.

“At that time, I think I spoke with a lot of compassion about the person who killed her,” Councilman said. “I really thought it was somebody who was likely driving impaired, distracted and were appalled and scared by what they had done and would eventually decide they can’t live with themselves and come forward and accept responsibility. … And yet this has been a very long year that has proven me wrong.”

Christy Pemberton, another of Donovan’s sisters, said the person responsible “abruptly and violently ended the life of a beautiful, loving, generous, encouraging, giving mother, daughter, sister, niece, aunt, friend and healer.”

“This person drove down that highway with my sister on the hood of their car  until she fell off or was thrown off way down the street,” Pemberton said. “Unless they were literally asleep at the wheel, they had to have known what they did.”

Billboards seeking tips about Donovan’s death remain along Highway 169 in Mille Lacs County.

In addition to increasing the amount of the reward, the family says the money will go to anyone who provides information leading to an arrest rather than a conviction.

“If you know something, if you suspect something, if you are the person who did this, come forward,” Councilman said. 

Investigators thought they made a break in the case back in March, but later cleared the driver of a Tesla, which was seen on video in the area around the time it happened.

Burton said a witness told investigators that Donovan was speaking to someone in a sedan — possibly a Ford Focus — briefly before she was hit. The sheriff says that driver’s identity could help crack the case.

“I want to know who that person is, and I want to know who the driver of that car was,” Burton said. “It could be absolutely relevant to this investigation, and it’s one of those stones that’s still unturned. This case has bothered me since day one and it will continue to bother me until we get to the bottom of whoever was responsible for this.”

The outpouring of love and grief on Wednesday extended to Donovan’s colleagues and friends at Mille Lacs Health System.

A large group gathered at the hospital’s Onamia location to dedicate a new cafeteria in Donovan’s name. 

“I believe that Cathy was the living manifestation of our health system’s beliefs,” said Dr Virnig, a colleague and friend. “Thank you, Cathy, for your life, your love, and your smile. We all miss you.”

Meanwhile, Donovan’s family members are holding out hope that the person responsible is brought to justice.

“And so please, if you know something, if you suspect something, if you are the person who did this, please come forward. Give that information to law enforcement or to Crime Stoppers,” Councilman said. “Nothing will bring Cathy back to us, but a small amount of justice would help us move forward and heal.”

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the Mille Lacs County Sheriff’s Office at 320-983-8346.