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Prior Lake High Student Killed In Car Crash; 2 Others Seriously Injured

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Prior Lake High School freshman Anna Bird was killed in a crash in Credit River Township Thursday night.

The Scott County sheriff's office says the 14-year-old was a passenger in a car that suddenly went off the road and hit a tree. Two others students were injured.

Friends, teammates, and coaches were posting online Friday, expressing their shock and sympathies upon learning of Bird's death.

She was very active in school activities, playing hockey and lacrosse. For her teammates, the game may not ever be the same.

"We just can't comprehend, really, what's happening," said Taylor Jones, a captain of Prior Lake's lacrosse team. "It just doesn't seem real. It seems like we're all in a bad dream.

Jones played lacrosse with Bird for Prior Lake High School. She says Bird was both a talented lacrosse and hockey player with many friends.

"She was always positive, she was always smiling," she said.

Prior Lake High School had counselors and social workers on hand Friday to help students grieve.

"It's been a very sad day around here," Prior Lake High School principal David Lund said. "A bright life cut short."

The Scott County sheriff's office said speed and icy road conditions were likely factors in the crash. They don't think anyone had been drinking.

Jones plans to have girls from the lacrosse and hockey teams over Friday night to remember Bird. She said while it will be strange to play without her, she won't ever be forgotten.

"She cared about making the environment fun for everyone," Jones said.

The sheriff's office says the crash occurred at around 7:10 p.m. just off of Murphy-Hanrehan Boulevard near the intersection of Sunset Lake Road in Credit River Township.

The driver, 18-year-old Austin Bradley Knudson of Prior Lake, and front seat passenger, 15-year-old Sydney Marie Slone of Prior Lake, suffered injuries. They were taken to Hennepin County Medical Center.

Knudson was listed in serious condition. Slone is in critical.

All three of the students in the accident were wearing seat belts.

Knudson is the son of Brad Knudson, who recently made a YouTube video about his African-American daughter being bulled on Snapchat.

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and School will hold a prayer service for Bird at 6 p.m. Friday. Anyone in the community is welcome.

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