ONAMIA, Minn. — A 56-year-old central Minnesota physician was killed Monday after she was struck by a vehicle while walking along U.S. 169 in Mille Lacs County.

The Minnesota State Patrol responded to the hit-and-run, reported at 4:51 p.m. in Kathio Township, north of Onamia. According to the crash report, Cathy Ann Donovan, Onamia, was walking along the highway when she was struck by a northbound vehicle, which left the scene.

Donovan was a doctor for the past 27 years with Mille Lacs Health System in Onamia, said Marilyn Phillips, a spokeswoman for the hospital.

Phillips said Donovan worked in family practices at the hospital, nursing home and various clinics in the area.

“She was beloved by her colleagues, her coworkers and her patients,” Phillips said. “She’s a wonderful person that will be desperately missed.”

Mille Lacs County Sheriff Kyle Burton asked for the public’s help in identifying the driver of the vehicle that hit Donovan as they did not have any witness or a vehicle description as of Tuesday afternoon.

“She’s been an important part of the health care community for Mille Lacs County for many years,” Burton said. “I knew her personally for many years, and it definitely hits hard to get this news, that she was killed in a hit-and-run.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Mille Lacs County Sheriff’s Office by calling 320-983-8250. The sheriff’s office tip line can be reached at 320-983-8346.

Another option is to report this case anonymously to Crime Stoppers of Minnesota at its website www.crimestoppersMN.org, by calling the toll free number 1-800-233-TIPS (8477) from anywhere in Minnesota or by installing a Submit a Tip app on any smartphone, or by sending a text message beginning with TIP674 to CRIMES (274637).

All contact with Crime Stoppers is anonymous and may qualify for a reward from them if the information leads to an arrest.

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