Courtesy: WCCO, Facebook, Minnetonka High SchoolUPDATE: The Minnesota State Patrol has confirmed at least four people are dead after a car accident on Interstate 94 west of Alexandria, and the deaths are hitting close to home.
Family members say the four women who died were college roommates heading back to North Dakota State University in Fargo. Michelle Renninger, of Excelsior, says her 18-year-old daughter, Danielle, and three other Minnesota friends died when their car crossed the median on Interstate 94 and was broadsided by an SUV Monday afternoon. The other victims are identified as Jordan Playle of Elk River, Megan Sample of Rogers and Lauren Peterson of Prior Lake.
Heavy snow, fog, strong winds and temperatures hovering around freezing made travel difficult Monday, but the State Patrol has not made a final determination on whether those conditions were factors in the crash.
The crash happened Monday afternoon around 3:00 p.m. near milepost 95. State Patrol Lt. Eric Roeske says Peterson's car slid out of control, and crossed the highway median into the path of oncoming traffic. They were hit by an SUV, and then the SUV was rear-ended by a third car -- those two drivers were injured.
The eastbound lanes of the highway were closed after the crash, but the highway has reopened.
News of the crash erupted on Facebook and Twitter, where fellow North Dakota State University students say all four women killed were from their campus. Monday night the Facebook page of the North Dakota State University student government wrote, "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Bison family tonight.
MORE COVERAGE ON THIS STORY:
FLAGS TO FLY AT HALF STAFF FOR NDSU STUDENTS
UNIVERSITY STATEMENT ON STUDENT DEATHS
UPDATE: Names Released in Crash
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2012 WorldNow and Valley News Live. All Rights Reserved. 
