Deborah Howell was likely taking photo at time of death

Deborah Howell

​The community of Minnesota journalists lost one of its most influential and storied members over the holidays when Deborah Howell was hit by a car in New Zealand.

Based on pictures of the scene published by the New Zealand press, the landscape seemed relatively pastoral, which was at odds with the reports of a car accident while she was on foot.

But the last paragraph of this Pioneer Press story would seem to explain it: Howell had likely gotten out of the car to take a photo.

Nick Coleman said that from what he could gather, Howell likely died while trying to take a photo. He said that she'd been sending photos to family during her trip and that she probably made the driver stop so she could get out and snap a shot. "She died doing the journalistic duty. ... That would be typical of her."