BROOKINGS, S.D. - A Minnesota woman died in a three-vehicle crash on Highway 14 three miles east of Brookings, South Dakota on Sunday.
Madeline Gawreluk, 20, of Zimmerman, was driving west when she lost control of her SUV on the snow packed and icy highway and slid into the eastbound lane.
She struck a pickup truck driven by Maurice Melchert, 74, of Buffalo. Melchert and a passenger suffered minor injuries.
A third vehicle, also traveling eastbound, then struck Gawreluk's vehicle. Neither the driver, Roberta Schley, 40, of Faribault, nor her passenger were hurt.
Gawreluk was taken to the Brookings hospital and then transferred to a Sioux Falls hospital where she died of injuries received in the crash.
She leaves behind her parents, grandparents and a large extended family who loved her very much.
Her parents David and Pam Gawreluk issued this brief statement.
"Her parents and family are deeply saddened. She will be missed."
Gawreluk was driving back to college in Brookings on Sunday after spending a week at home in Zimmerman for spring break.
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