Teenager killed after being ejected from car

Published 1:30 pm Wednesday, June 8, 2011

NEW RICHLAND — A 16-year-old boy was killed Tuesday after he was ejected from a car that went off the road about five miles west of New Richland.

The teenager, Russell L. Witke, of New Richland, was pronounced dead at the scene on Highway 30 near 80th Street in Waseca County.

Authorities with the Minnesota State Patrol and the Waseca County Sheriff’s Office are still investigating whether Witke was the driver or the passenger of the car, a 1998 Pontiac Grand Am.

Email newsletter signup

No other details about the crash, including what direction the car was traveling and even what time the crash occurred, were available as of this morning.

New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva High School Principal Paul Cyr said as of this morning the school had not made any plans to provide grief counselors for students; however, school officials are waiting to hear about Witke’s funeral arrangements.

“Possibly when we know what the arrangements are, we can make that available to help people,” Cyr said.

The Tribune received a death notice for Witke this morning stating that his arrangements are pending at Friedrich Funeral Home in New Richland, which is part of Bonnerup Funeral Service.

Look to the Tribune in print and online for more information on this story as it becomes available.