A 69-year-old Hastings man was killed early Wednesday morning when he was hit by a vehicle while removing a deer from the road that his vehicle had hit.
According to the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office, Rick D. Edstrom of Hastings died from injuries sustained in the accident, which occurred at approximately 6:35 a.m. on County Road 46 near General Sieben Drive in Marshan Township. Edstrom struck a deer while westbound on County Road 46. He pulled over onto the north shoulder and got out of his vehicle to remove the deer from the roadway. Another driver stopped to help and witnessed an eastbound vehicle collide with Edstrom.
Deputies were on the scene within one minute of the call, but lifesaving measures were unsuccessful.
The driver of the vehicle that struck Edstrom was uninjured and was cooperative, according to the sheriff’s office.
“This remains an open investigation. The Dakota County Sheriff’s Office is the lead investigative agency and is assisted by the Minnesota State Patrol. We thank the Hastings Police and Fire Departments for their assistance on scene,” according to a statement from the DCSO. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the victim’s family and friends on their tragic loss.”