Lakeville teen killed in car crash on slushy road
A junior at Lakeville North High School was killed in a car accident during her commute to school Wednesday.
The school district identified the victim as 16-year-old Alyssa Ettl.
Ettl appeared to lose control of her car on Dodd Boulevard in Lakeville at about 9:45 a.m., Lakeville Interim Police Chief John Kornmann said. Ettl's Pontiac Grand Prix slid into oncoming traffic and was broadsided by a GMC Acadia SUV. The accident happened about a quarter mile from the high school, which was scheduled to start two hours late, and not as a result of the weather.
Ettl died instantly in the crash, Kornmann said. The driver and passenger in the other car, Crystal Hanson, 31, and her son Avery, 2, of Lakeville, had minor injuries. All three were wearing seatbelts.
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"The roads were slushy at the time, so weather does appear to be a contributing factor," Kornmann said.
As the school learned of the tragedy, administrators called in counselors from across the district to help students. Principal Marne Berkvam said the auditorium was filled with 600 grieving students.
"Of course it's devastating, any time you lose a student in a community," Berkvam said. "You're not supposed to pass away when you're 16. And she was so well-liked. She was involved in a lot of different activities."
Berkvam said Ettl was involved in student government and faith groups. She also just learned she was chosen to co-captain the soccer team next season.
Lakeville Police and the Minnesota State Patrol are investigating the accident.