The season's first snow event late Friday into early Saturday was a factor in a freeway death of a woman from Cedar on Saturday morning on the I-35W and I-35E split in Columbus.

The Minnesota State Patrol said Michelle Bartell, 45, was killed when she was hit by a vehicle driven by Tirrell R. Corgard, 70, of  Roseville. The accident was reported on northbound I-35W at 7:56 a.m.

According to the State Patrol, Bartell's vehicle had gone off the road at the split and she was waiting with Maria E. Wilson, 34, of Pine City. Her vehicle had also spun out on the slippery road. When a third vehicle driven by William B. Franks, 58, of Chaska, rolled in the same location, Bartell and Wilson as good samaritans went to check on the driver. It was at this point when Bartell was struck and killed by the fourth vehicle, the State Patrol said.

Franks received minor injuries in the rollover. Tirrell and Wilson had no apparent injuries. Bartell was pronounced dead at the scene, the State Patrol said.