Woman killed after hitting tree with vehicle near Melrose

Detroit Lakes, Minn. (KDLM) – A woman is dead after a single-vehicle crash west of Melrose Monday afternoon.

Stearns County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called out just before 4:00 p.m. after emergency dispatchers received a 911 call from a cell phone. They could hear someone on the other end of the line, but could not understand what was being said or precisely where the vehicle was located.

First responders found it difficult to locate the vehicle, but after several minutes of searching, they found the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu near the dead end on 355th Avenue. 

The investigation determined that 38-year-old Katie Llewellyn was driving south on County Road 185 when she crossed County Road 65, where it changes to 355th. She struck a tree just beyond the end of the road.

Llewellyn did not have her seatbelt on and died at the scene from her injuries.

The accident remains under and active investigation.