1 teen killed, 3 injured in SUV rollover accident

One teenage boy was killed and three others were injured when the SUV they were riding in veered out of control south of Rosemount on Wednesday night. All the victims were current or recent Burnsville High School students.

The 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by Matthew Berger, 17, was heading north on Highway 52 at around 9:42 p.m. when he lost control. The vehicle ran into the median and rolled over into the southbound lane, according to the Minnesota State Patrol accident report.

Neither of the boys riding in the backseat were wearing seat belts — both were ejected from the vehicle. Ty Alyea, 17, was killed in the accident and Cole Borchardt, 18, was seriously injured. Berger and front seat passenger Tylan Procko, 17, both sustained non-life threatening injuries, said Minnesota State Patrol spokesman Lt. Eric Roeske.

"We can't emphasize enough the importance for all occupants to be wearing seat belts at all times," Roeske said. "We see a life lost and three others forever impacted by something we believe very likely could have been prevented had they been wearing seat belts."

Borchardt was a recent graduate of Burnsville High School and the other three are current students, according to the school district.

Students and staff will gather for a vigil on the school's practice fields east of Pates Stadium starting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Grief counselors will be available for students at the high school starting on Friday morning.