Rochester MN Snow plow Operator Will Not Face Criminal Charges
Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A snow plow operator employed by the City of Rochester will not face any criminal charges for striking and killing a pedestrian earlier this year.
A news release issued this afternoon says the City of Rochester has received notice from the Minnesota State Patrol that the investigation into the deadly February 24th incident has been completed. The report stated that charges against the 39-year-old snow plow operator were declined.
The State Patrol, which was asked to investigate the case to avoid any possible conflicts of interest, previously identified the victim as 69-year-old Linda Rud. The Rochester woman was pronounced dead at the scene after she was hit by a city snowplow as it was backing up during snow removal operations.
The incident was reported around 9 in the morning in the 2800 block of Pinewood Road Southeast around the time students were arriving at Pinewood Elementary School, which is located just a few blocks to the west. Rochester Public Schools Superintendent reported that some students and staff members from the school came upon the scene after the woman was fatally injured.
The news release noted, "The City of Rochester continues to convey its deepest sympathies to the decedent's loved ones."