Hit & Run Leaves Duluth Woman Dead, Family In Mourning
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A 30-year-old man from Superior, Wis., is accused of hitting a pedestrian on Tuesday in Duluth and fleeing the scene, according to charges filed Thursday by the St. Louis County Attorney's Office.
Justin Paul Linskie was charged with criminal vehicular homicide in connection with the case.
According to a complaint, the Duluth Police Department was called just after 6 p.m. Tuesday to the Twin Ponds area at 1400 West Skyline Parkway after a report that a single vehicle had gone off the road and into one of the ponds. A man, later identified as Linskie, got out of the water and ran into the woods on foot. A victim, identified as Susan Elizabeth Menz, had been left behind and was found in the water unconscious.
Menz ultimately died of injuries after being hit by the vehicle, the complaint states. She had parked her vehicle near the incident and had been out on an evening walk when she was hit.
"She was doing what she loved doing the best," Laurie Jean Menz, the victim's daughter, said. "She was taking pictures. That was her hobby."
The complaint states Linskie was at the Genesis Building for treatment at about 5:40 p.m. He was there for about 15 minutes because he didn't feel well, then drove from treatment towards his mother's apartment.
According to the complaint, the crash happened at 6:04 p.m. and a witness watched Linskie flee the area while Menz was floating in the water.
"It's such a big hole in my heart but other people's hearts as well. We're so hurt, extremely angry, extremely angry and going through so many emotions right now. We're in a lot of pain," Laurie Jean Menz said. "I can't imagine such a beautiful life just snuffed out by someone stupid."
Through paperwork left in his vehicle, authorities tracked down Linskie later that night. He admitted to driving the vehicle at the time of the crash and leaving the scene, the complaint states.
Linskie has a criminal past that includes convictions for felony receiving stolen property, fifth-degree possession of a controlled substance, theft and two DWIs. His license has been suspended six times for failing to appear in court or failing to pay fines and is currently on probation for a federal drug conviction.
Authorities said through an investigation, it does not appear that drugs or alcohol were a factor in the crash.
Linskie is in the St. Louis County Jail on $250,000 bail. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.