Rice County Deputy Hits and Kills Woman With Squad Car Early Saturday Morning

According to a news release from the Rice County Sheriff's Office, a fatal crash involving a Rice County Sheriff's Office vehicle occurred early Saturday morning in Morristown. The deputy was not responding to a call for service when they struck and killed a woman. The Minnesota State Patrol is handling the investigation.

Below is the news release that was sent out by Rice County Sheriff Jesse Thomas.

On 01/29/2022 at approximately 0159 hours, an on-duty Rice County Sheriff’s Office squad car was traveling eastbound in the 8000 block of Morristown Boulevard when it struck a person.  The squad car was not responding to an emergency call at the time of the incident.  Deputies at the scene attempted lifesaving efforts.  Morristown Rescue & North Ambulance responded to the scene. The person was pronounced dead at the scene.

Deputies were assisted on scene by North Ambulance and Morristown Rescue personnel.  The MN State Patrol is handling the investigation.  Please direct all inquiries to the MN State Patrol.  No further information can be released at this time as this is an ongoing investigation.

According to the Minnesota State Patrol, 46-year-old Trevor Ray Peterson of Faribault was driving the Rice County Sheriff's Office vehicle, a 2020 Dodge Ram, when he fatally struck 52-year-old Stephanie Marie Wesley of Faribault.