By Steve Wideman
Post-Crescent staff writer
APPLETON - An 18-year-old Menasha High School senior died late Thursday when she was struck by a pickup truck while jogging on S. Oneida Street.
Appleton police said Julie B. Knuijt, 718 John St., a member of the Menasha High School varsity cross-country and soccer teams, was pronounced dead at St. Elizabeth Hospital.
Knuijt was not carrying identification, which caused a three-hour delay in determining her identity.
Because she was wearing a Menasha cross-country team sweatshirt, police contacted school officials who assisted in identifying Knuijt.
Principal Larry Haase said Knuijt was an A student, the high school band's majorette and a member of the Wisconsin Army National Guard.
"Julie was a very special young lady" Haase said. "She was an easy student for kids to be with whether they were freshmen, sophomores, juniors or seniors. Kids were very comfortable with her."
Haase said Knuijt consistently thought of herself before others.
"She was a class lady, just a gem."
Haase said psychologists and counselors would be available today to assist students.
Police spokesman John DeLong said Knuijt was jogging on S. Oneida Street near Primrose Lane about 9:30 p.m. when she tried to cross the street from the west to east side. Knuijt was struck by a pickup heading north on Oneida, driven by 59-year-old Maurice E. Germain of Chilton.
DeLong said Germain cooperated with police and would not be charged as a result of the accident.
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Julie ran Cross Country with my little brother and we knew her extremely well. Before my dad moved, he lived next store to Julie's mother. So we frequently saw her around. Julie would have graduated in June. Sad to say, but Menasha High School has a streak of deaths. If I remember right, Julie's death is #6. (Every year someone passes away.) I can relate to my brother because when I was a junior, one of the JV girls Basketball players died and that hit me hard. She was one of my friends...and now the only time that I think of her is when the song "Friends" by Michael W. Smith is played.
