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Friends, Family Mourn Deaths Of 4 NDSU Students

ALEXANDRIA, Minn. (WCCO) -- Life was cut short for four college roommates at North Dakota State University, who died on Monday when the car they were in crossed a median on Interstate 94.

The Minnesota State Patrol says the teens' car crossed the median near Alexandria. Their vehicle was struck by an SUV, which was subsequently hit by a third vehicle.

The State Patrol says Lauren Peterson of Prior Lake, Megan Sample of Rogers, Danielle Renninger of Excelsior, all 18, and 19-year-old Jordann Playle of Elk River were killed in the crash.

Authorities say Peterson was driving and lost control of the vehicle. Heavy snow, fog, strong winds and temperatures hovering around freezing all made travel difficult Monday.

Danielle Renninger
(credit: Minnetonka High School)

"The worst part about being a teacher is losing a student," said Erik Sills, a marketing teacher at Minnetonka High School, where Renninger graduated last year. Renninger was a business marketing major at NDSU.

On Facebook, friends and family of all of the victims are sharing memories. A friend wrote on Peterson's Facebook page, "Prior Lake is missing a part of its heart and soul. You were one of the most fun and carefree people to be around."

NewsRadio 830 WCCO's Susie Jones Reports

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The driver of the SUV and two people in the third vehicle suffered non-life threatening injuries.

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