Woman Charged In Fatal New Year's Eve Hit-And-Run
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A Minneapolis woman has been charged in the hit-and-run death of a mother of four on New Year's Eve.
Aisha Freels, 37, was leaving her home on the 3900 block of Lyndale Avenue North to get into a cab. The charges state she was crossing the street to get into the cab when she was struck by a blue sedan traveling approximately 45 miles per hour.
The cab driver told investigators that Freels was struck by the center part of the car, and that she hit the hood and then the windshield. The vehicle then sped off.
Authorities said she died at the scene. Her two oldest children and her mother saw Freels lying in the street that evening.
On Sunday, investigators working off a number of tips from the community located a suspect vehicle and arrested 27-year-old Donella Shanice Day.
She admitted to driving on Lyndale that evening and striking Freels. She said she was on her way back from the liquor store and was driving toward her friend's house. She said she saw a woman in the street and the next thing she knew was there was glass in her face.
Her vehicle was parked in the garage, and police noted it had sustained significant damage to the windshield. According to state records, Day was driving on a permit, which was issued just weeks before the crash.
On Tuesday morning, Day was charged with one count of criminal vehicular homicide.
Her first appearance in Hennepin County Court is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Tuesday. She's currently being held at the county jail.
