MSU athlete killed; identity released
By Tim Krohn
The Free Press
MANKATO, MN —
Two freshmen, members of a university women’s cross country team, were struck by a vehicle that careened onto a sidewalk Tuesday afternoon, killing one.
Catherine L. Delwiche, 18, of Glencoe was pronounced dead at the hospital. Laura L. Palmer, 18, of Pittsville, Wis., received minor injuries.
A 1998 Honda SUV driven by Dale H. Hoechst, 57, of Mankato was southbound on Warren Street when it crossed the northbound lane of traffic and went onto the sidewalk where it struck Delwiche, who was running, and Palmer, who was on a bicycle.
The State Patrol did not say why Hoechst lost control of the vehicle. No alcohol was detected on Hoechst, who was not injured.
His vehicle continued over the sidewalk, hitting a telephone junction box and tree and coming to rest against the sign outside the Mankato Church of Christ.
The accident occurred at 4 p.m. near the intersection of Warren Street and Malin Street.
The women were training as part of a practice for the Minnesota State University cross country team. Cross country runners often split up in small groups, or run or bike alone, during practices. The accident happened two blocks from campus.
State Patrol reconstruction experts were on the scene late into the evening and the road was blocked off.
