A 39‑year-old Minneapolis woman, identified as Danielle Lee Boyd, died Wednesday morning after being struck by a vehicle while she attempted to cross a highway in Mille Lacs County, Minnesota. The crash occurred at about 6:27 a.m. on Highway 27, close to 400th Street near the Isle area, authorities say.
According to the Minnesota State Patrol, a northbound 2012 Cadillac CTS struck Danielle as she was crossing the road — a collision made more dangerous by snow‑ and ice‑covered conditions.
Emergency crews, including the Mille Lacs County Sheriff’s Office and local Isle police and fire departments, rushed to the scene after the crash was reported. Despite their prompt response, Danielle was pronounced dead at the site — she never regained consciousness and was not transported to a hospital.
The driver, identified as 41‑year-old Tyrone Clinton Smith of Isle, was unharmed. There have been no signs so far of impairment or reckless behavior on his part, the State Patrol said.
Investigators secured the crash scene for several hours, documenting road conditions, evaluating visibility, and collecting witness accounts as they begin reconstructing the events leading up to the tragic collision. Lights, icy roads, time of day, and pedestrian visibility are among the factors being examined.
In the wake of the tragedy, local residents — especially in Mille Lacs County and Minneapolis — are reeling. Friends, family, and neighbors are mourning Danielle, struck down as she walked in the early hours before dawn. The incident has once again underscored how vulnerable pedestrians are on rural highways, especially under hazardous winter conditions.
State and local agencies are urging both drivers and pedestrians to be extremely cautious — drivers to slow down and stay alert when visibility and road traction are poor; pedestrians to avoid crossing high-speed roads like highways whenever possible, especially during early morning or dusk. Traffic safety officials hope the crash will serve as a sobering reminder of how fleeting life can be, and how important it is for everyone to take extra care.
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