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Retired Police Officer Hit and Killed While Helping Stranded Motorist

Saint Cloud, MN, USA / KNSI
Jennifer Lewerenz
Dec 19, 2025 | 6:36 AM
Unsplash

(KNSI) — Authorities say the person killed in a crash on Highway 169 in Elk River Tuesday evening was a retired police officer who had stopped to help a stranded motorist.

According to a press release from city Police Chief David Kuhnly, at around 6:25, emergency crews were called to a vehicle versus pedestrian crash on Main Street Northwest and 169. The pedestrian, 53-year-old Clayton Connely, was rushed to Mercy Hospital in Anoka, where he was pronounced dead. Connoly had stopped to help someone who became stuck due to icy road conditions. Both he and the disabled vehicle were hit.

Connely was a retired Brooklyn Park police officer with 20 years of service.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

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