A freshman on Minnesota State, Mankato's women's cross country team was killed in a car-pedestrian accident while running on a sidewalk near campus.
The State Patrol said Catherine Delwiche, 18, of Glencoe, was pronounced dead at a hospital after she was hit Tuesday afternoon by an SUV. Another member of the team who was bicycling nearby suffered minor injuries.
Delwiche was a Presidential Scholar, a nursing student and an accomplished athlete.
"I couldn't have asked for a better person. She was just a great kid, and I just want everybody to know that," said her Cross Country Coach, Jen Blue.
Blue and fellow teammates at Minnesota State University Mankato also think of her as much more than just a teammate -- they'll remember her as a friend.
"She loved to run. She loved her friends," said friend Abigail Ross.
Wednesday afternoon, Ross and other teammates paid their respects to Delwiche, at the spot where a car hit and killed her just 24 hours earlier. The accident happened only two blocks from campus.
The patrol said a 57-year-old Mankato man was driving a 1998 Honda SUV south on Warren Street when it crossed the northbound lane of traffic and went onto the sidewalk where it hit Delwiche.
The vehicle also struck bicyclist Laura Palmer, 18, of Pittsville, Wis., then went on to hit a phone junction box a tree. Palmer suffered minor injuries.
Delwiche and Palmer were hit while part of a team practice. During practice, cross country runners often split up in small groups, or run or bike alone.
Investigators did not indicate why the man lost control of the vehicle. However, no alcohol was detected on the man. He was not injured.
"To be quite honest, we don't know why this collision occurred yet," says Minnesota State Patrol Lieutenant Dan Hilligoss from the Mankato District.
Investigators will now inspect the vehicle for mechanical problems, and they're also talking with witnesses, while students, staff, and fellow University athletes get help from counselors to deal with their own pain.
"The Maverick family is profoundly saddened by the loss of Caty Delwiche," says Kevin Buisman, the Director of Athletics. "In the brief time as part of this program, Caty already made a positive impression on her teammates, and her passion, spirit and dedication will continue to be a source of inspiration for all of us." "It just makes you enjoy every moment that you have. Get to know everyone while you can," said Ross.
Students and staff plan to honor Delwiche this Saturday when they'll take time out of the Homecoming football game and remember her with a moment of silence.
For the WCCO-TV video of this story, go to http://wcco.com/local/local_story_276085253.html
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