Rogers, Elk River Students Among Four Killed in Monday Crash

Four North Dakota State University students–all young women, died Monday while driving back from a three-day weekend in the Twin Cities.

Two of the girls, all under the age of 20, had local ties.

Killed in the crash were Jordan Playle, 19, Elk River; Megan Sample, 18, Rogers; Danielle Renninger, 18, Excelsior; and Lauren J. Peterson, 18 of Prior Lake, who was the driver, according to information released by the Minnesota State Highway Patrol. All were traveling west on Interstate 94 when their vehicle, a Chevrolet Malibu, lost control and went through the ditch, into the eastbound lane.

There, the car was struck head-on by a Ford Expedition, driven by Lawrence Akers, 58, Harwood, N.D. The Ford was the struck by another car, a Toyota Carolla, driven by a Hopkins woman.

Both of those drivers were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Lt. Eric Roeske of the Minnesota Highway Patrol said weather was a probable factor in the accident. Snow that moved through the state hit Alexandria just before the crash, which happened shortly after 3 p.m.

All four women were roomates at North Dakota State, family members told local media outlets Tuesday morning. Playle, a 2011 graduate of Rogers, has family in St. Michael-Albertville.