Driver Charged in Minneapolis Crash That Left Pedestrian Critical
BY MN CRIME STAFF
A pedestrian suffered critical injuries after a driver allegedly ran onto a sidewalk and struck him near a light rail station in Minneapolis early Friday.
The crash happened around 1:30 a.m. Feb. 6 on the 1800 block of Franklin Avenue East.
Prosecutors charged 33-year-old Joshua Ryan Pendegayosh, of Minneapolis, with felony criminal vehicular operation causing great bodily harm. Authorities say Pendegayosh was driving in a grossly negligent manner when he struck the victim.
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According to the criminal complaint, Minneapolis police were sent to the light rail transit station area on a report of a personal injury crash with a possible fatality and information that the driver had left the scene. When officers arrived, they found the vehicle down an embankment resting in the snow and still running after apparently striking a fence and part of the station structure.
A witness told police he saw Pendegayosh drive into the pedestrian, get out and run away from the scene. The witness also reported no one else was inside the vehicle at the time of the crash.
Transit officers later reviewed surveillance video that showed the vehicle parked or stopped on the east side of Cedar Avenue South facing northbound with its headlights on. The video reportedly shows the driver accelerate onto the sidewalk, first striking another vehicle and then a fence before hitting the pedestrian and running him completely over. Pendegayosh then crashed through the fence before the vehicle went down an embankment and came to rest against a building near stairs leading to the transit platform.
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Officers searching the area located Pendegayosh near 17th Avenue South & Cedar Avenue South walking back toward the scene. Authorities say he admitted he was the driver who struck the pedestrian and he was taken into custody.
Investigators asked Pendegayosh whether anyone else had been inside the vehicle to ensure there were no additional victims. Authorities say he stated he believed he was the only person inside but said he could not be certain because he claimed he was sleeping at the time of the crash. While at the hospital, investigators say Pendegayosh made unsolicited comments that he needed to use the incident as an opportunity to seek treatment. Authorities say he also made conflicting statements, first saying he was in control of the vehicle when he fell asleep and later saying he had parked before falling asleep.
Officers found a syringe on the passenger-side floorboard of the vehicle. Investigators reported signs of impairment but said they did not detect the odor of alcohol. A search warrant was obtained for a blood draw while Pendegayosh was at Hennepin Healthcare.
Paramedics transported the victim to Hennepin Healthcare where medical staff told investigators the man suffered broken bones to “virtually his entire body.” A confirmed update on his condition is not yet available.
Pendegayosh remains in custody at the Hennepin County Jail. Court records show bail was set at $75,000 and if convicted, he faces up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
