16-year-old killed in Pine River crash

Tommy Wiita

[MGN]

A 16-year-old was killed in a crash Thursday night in north-central Minnesota.

According to the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, at 8 p.m., authorities received a report of a single-vehicle crash on 26th Avenue Southwest in Pine River Township. Deputies and first responders arrived on scene and learned that a 1995 Cadillac Deville was southbound on 26th Avenue when it left the roadway, flipping and rolling several times.

A 16-year-old girl was ejected from the vehicle. Lifesaving efforts were attempted, but she was declared deceased at the scene.

An investigation shows a 16-year-old male from Backus was the driver of the vehicle and was treated at the scene for unknown injuries, then transported to a Brainerd hospital. Three other passengers — two 16-year-old males and one 16-year-old girl — were treated at the scene for minor injuries.

The sheriff’s office says the investigation indicates that speed was a factor in the crash and that alcohol does not appear to be involved.

An autopsy is scheduled with the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office. Due to victims being juveniles, names will not be released.

The crash remains under investigation with the assistance of the Minnesota State Patrol.