Baxter man struck, killed while walking on 371

A 42-year-old Baxter died after he was hit by a car at 2:10 a.m. Saturday while walking on Highway 371 north of Baxter, the State Patrol reported.

Mark Anthony Ocel was pronounced dead at the scene. The State Patrol reported Ocel was walking in the southbound lane of Highway 371, at Barbeau Road, and was struck by a southbound vehicle.

State Patrol Capt. Mark Jonassen said Sunday the State Patrol continues to investigate why Ocel was walking the southbound lane of Highway 371. The State Patrol reported Ocel had consumed alcohol.

The driver of the car, Marisa Foster, 18, Breezy Point, wasn't injured. Her passenger, Amanda Monnier, 21, Breezy Point, was treated at St. Joseph's Medical Center and released. Foster and Monnier were wearing seat belts and Foster hadn't consumed alcohol, the State Patrol reported.

Jonassen said criminal charges, if any, wouldn't be filed until the investigation is complete and turned over to the Crow Wing County Attorney's office for consideration.

Jonassen said it couldn't be determined when the investigation would be complete.

"It's very preliminary and premature to be thinking of that yet until everyone is talked to and the accident reconstruction is done," he said. "There's just lots to do before anything gets decided."

MATT ERICKSON can be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.