A pedestrian was struck and killed early Tuesday in Brooklyn Park, and the driver took off before officers got there, according to police. The fatal hit-and-run happened around 1:20 a.m. on Highway 252 at 73rd Avenue North. Brooklyn Park officers responded to the scene, then called in investigators from the Minnesota State Patrol to take over the overnight investigation.
Police details and investigation
According to CBS Minnesota, the Brooklyn Park Police Department said the driver left the area before officers arrived. A few additional details were immediately released. The Minnesota State Patrol is now leading the case while investigators collect evidence from the crash scene and track down potential witnesses for interviews.
Why Highway 252 worries officials
This stretch of Highway 252 has been on safety watch lists for years. The Minnesota Department of Transportation has studied ways to rebuild the corridor, including replacing signalized intersections like the one at 73rd Avenue with interchanges or dedicated pedestrian crossings to cut down on serious crashes, the Star Tribune reported. Local officials and neighbors have spent years debating how to limit risky crossings and make the busy roadway less deadly.
Legal consequences for leaving the scene
Under Minnesota law, a driver who leaves the scene of a crash that results in death can face felony charges, with possible prison time and fines, according to Minnesota Statutes. Prosecutors typically decide on specific charges after investigators determine whether the driver knew, or reasonably should have known, that the collision caused injury or death.
Police are asking for tips
The Brooklyn Park Police Department is asking anyone with information about the crash or the fleeing driver to call its non-emergency line at (763) 493-8222 or email the public information officer at [email protected]. Call 911 for emergencies, per the department's website. Authorities say they will share more details as the Minnesota State Patrol and local investigators sort through evidence and continue their interviews.
