SCENE OF SADNESS — Crosses and flowers have been placed at or near the crash site of 16-year-old NRHEG student Russell Witke west of New Richland on Highway 30. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)

Sixteen-year-old Russell L. Witke of New Richland was killed Tuesday in a one-car automobile mishap approximately 5 miles west of New Richland on Highway 30.

Witke, who would have been a junior at NRHEG High School this fall, was pronounced dead at the scene after being ejected from the vehicle. Authorities from the Minnesota State Patrol and Waseca County Sheriff’s Office are investigating whether Witke was the driver or passenger of the car, a 1998 Pontiac Grand Am.

Skid marks on Highway 30 indicate the vehicle was traveling eastbound at a high rate of speed and skidded before winding up in a drainage ditch on the north side of the road.

The funeral for Witke is Monday, June 13 at 1 p.m. at Vista Covenant Church, rural New Richland. Visitation is Sunday from 4-8 p.m. at Friedrich’s Funeral Home in New Richland.

A fund has been established to help defray funeral expenses for Witke. Donations can be made to the State Bank of New Richland.