MILLE LACS, Minn. — The vehicle owned by an Edina man who was driving on Highway 169 the night a popular doctor was killed by a hit-and-run driver near Mille Lacs Lake has been cleared by the Minnesota State Patrol, the agency announced Wednesday.
A social media post by the patrol announced the development, and now investigators are asking for help in generating new leads as the case takes a new direction.
"Investigators have ruled out the vehicle of interest in the hit-and-run crash that killed Dr. Cathy Donovan on Highway 169 in Mille Lacs County," the post reads. "We are still investigating leads, but need your help to bring forward any new information that could help. Every detail matters — and even the smallest tip could make a crucial difference in solving this case and bringing closure to Dr. Donovan’s family."
Donovan was fatally struck on the shoulder of Highway 169 near her home in Onamia while walking her dogs the afternoon of Nov. 13, 2023. Responding officers declared the 56-year-old physician dead on the scene, noting that the vehicle that hit her had fled the scene. In December, the State Patrol released a blurry image of a dark car they believed had hit Donovan.
Last month it became publicly known that an Edina man who owns a Tesla – a person who has not been named in press coverage – was a person of interest in the investigation after search warrants were publicly filed in Mille Lacs County.
During interviews with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) the Edina man suggested it was possible he hit Donovan without knowing because the Tesla was in full self-driving mode.
"He does not remember hitting Cathy Donovan with his Tesla, but said if he did he would have been alone in his Tesla, driving on "auto-pilot," not paying attention to the road, while doing things like checking his work emails," BCA Special Agent Chad Kleffman wrote in a search warrant affidavit.
After news of the search warrants broke, local attorney Dave Risk issued a statement confirming his client was cooperating with authorities conducting the investigation into Donovan's death.
“My client is inconsolable thinking that he was involved in the accident with Ms. Donovan, and he is heartbroken for her family, her loved ones, and the community," Risk shared with KARE 11's Lou Raguse. "We are committed to finding out the entire truth about what occurred. My client voluntary spoke to investigators and he explained it is probable his car would’ve been using Tesla’s Full Self-Driving Capability. He will continue to fully cooperate with this investigation until its completion as we continue to learn new information."
The BCA seized the Edina man’s Tesla - along with his cell phone - to determine whether the vehicle had been repaired.
"We are still investigating leads, but need your help to bring forward any new information that could help. Every detail matters — and even the smallest tip could make a crucial difference in solving this case and bringing closure to Dr. Donovan’s family," the State Patrol said in its Facebook post.
When his client was ruled out Wednesday as a suspect in Donovan's death, his attorney, Risk, issued another statement, telling KARE 11 the news brought "relief" to his client but that he "remains heartbroken for her (Donovan's) family."
"Today, the Minnesota State Patrol cleared my client from any involvement in the Mille Lacs County hit-and-run crash that killed Dr. Cathy Donovan last November. While this development brings tremendous relief to my client and his family, he understands that this news offers no such relief for the Donovan family. He remains heartbroken for her family, her loved ones and her community and encourages anyone with information about the case to contact law enforcement at (218) 316-3026."
Maybe you weren't the driver, but you might know someone who was on that route that day. If you know anything, we urge you to come forward and help us solve this tragic case.
Local and state investigators continue to work on the case. Donovan's family is offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person who hit her.
Anyone with information on the Nov. 13 hit-and-run or the driver who is responsible is urged to call State Patrol Sergeant Jason Brown at 218-316-3026 or email him at jason.brown@state.mn.us.
WATCH MORE ON KARE 11+
Download the free KARE 11+ app for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV and other smart TV platforms to watch more from KARE 11 anytime! The KARE 11+ app includes live streams of all of KARE 11's newscasts. You'll also find on-demand replays of newscasts; the latest from KARE 11 Investigates, Breaking the News and the Land of 10,000 Stories; exclusive programs like Verify and HeartThreads; and Minnesota sports talk from our partners at Locked On Minnesota.
- Add KARE 11+ on Roku here or by searching for KARE 11 in the Roku Channel Store.
- Add KARE 11+ on Fire TV here or by searching for KARE 11 in the Amazon App Store.
- Learn more about the KARE 11+ app for Apple TV in the Apple App Store.
- Learn more about KARE 11+ here.
Watch more local news:
Watch the latest local news from the Twin Cities and across Minnesota in our YouTube playlist: