A 5-year-old St. Paul girl died this weekend after she was gravely injured in a crash on Minnesota 36 in Lake Elmo.

Morgan Rae Peterson was a passenger in a 2006 Ford Focus that stalled in the left lane of eastbound 36 at Lake Elmo Avenue around 8:50 p.m. Saturday, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. A Nissan Pathfinder, traveling behind the Ford Focus, crashed into the rear of the vehicle “at highway speeds,” the highway patrol reported.

Morgan suffered a broken neck and serious brain injuries in the accident and died on Sunday afternoon at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, according to a post on a GoFundMe fundraiser that has been organized for the family to help cover funeral and medical expenses.

The driver of the Ford Focus, Christopher Scott Petersen, 43, of St. Paul, and a 10-year-old passenger, Mason Scott Ries, also were taken to Regions Hospital in St. Paul for treatment, but their injuries were not considered life-threatening, according to the State Patrol.

Morgan was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash; Chris Peterson and Mason were not, according to the State Patrol.

The driver of the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder, Jeffrey Dean Alexander, 47, of St. Paul, also sustained nonfatal injuries, the State Patrol stated. He also was taken to Regions Hospital for treatment.

The accident remains under investigation. Road conditions were dry at the time.

“Morgan was the brightest light in every room,” according to the GoFundMe fundraiser. “At 5 years old, she was the boss of everyone, and she knew it. She loved to sing, dance, play with her dolls, and was very spunky, outgoing, funny, and energetic. She was one of a kind.”

According to the GoFundMe post, Peterson tried to move his car after it stalled “knowing his kids were inside, but he couldn’t.”

As of Monday, the fundraiser had raised almost $7,500 of its $15,000 goal.

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