Fleeing Carjacker Causes Double-Fatal Crash, MPD Says

Sep 4

Police say two women were killed and a 6-year-old boy was hurt Thursday when a carjacking suspect fleeing at high speed crashed into their vehicle in north Minneapolis.

The Minnesota State Patrol said it happened at 8:38 a.m. at the intersection of Penn Avenue and Olson Memorial Highway.

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A 2010 Ford Fusion driven by 25-year-old Marisa Ardys Casebolt, of Minneapolis, was struck by a 2012 Volkswagen Passat driven by the suspect, 45-year-old Troy Mike Payton, of Saint Paul.

Casebolt and her passenger, 25-year-old Liberty Borg, of Minneapolis, both died at the scene. A 6-year-old boy in their car was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.

Payton was treated at North Memorial with non-life-threatening injuries, officials confirmed late Monday.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said the incident began just after 8 a.m. when Payton allegedly carjacked a woman near East Lake Street and Fourth Avenue South. Witnesses reported he drove at high speeds, swerved into oncoming traffic, and at one point drove onto a sidewalk along Lake Street.

After an initial crash, Payton reportedly tried to carjack another vehicle at gunpoint but was unsuccessful, then successfully stole another woman’s car and fired gunshots as he left.

Officers located the vehicle by 8:36 a.m. and began a pursuit. Minutes later, Payton crashed into Casebolt’s Ford at the intersection. O’Hara confirmed a gun was recovered from the stolen car. Authorities also said three dogs were in the vehicle and one had to be euthanized due to injuries.

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“This is a very devastating incident with very heartbreaking consequences,” O’Hara said. “This is an outcome we never want.”

***The victims: Liberty Borg, left, and Marisa Casebolt***

When asked about pursuit policy, O’Hara said the department has faced criticism in recent weeks for not initiating more chases tied to a rise in car break-ins. He said Thursday’s case showed why restrictions are in place. “This result is exactly why we have such stringent policies,” O’Hara said. “This person clearly endangered hundreds of people’s lives in our community. This is why we take carjackings so seriously … they put every member of our community at risk.”

Court records show Payton has a criminal history in Minnesota stretching back more than two decades. He was convicted of second-degree assault in 1998 and has multiple felony convictions for fleeing police and motor vehicle theft dating back to 1999. He was also convicted of being an ineligible person in possession of a firearm in both 2000 and 2005, along with several later misdemeanor convictions for driving after revocation or suspension.

Highway 55 was closed in both directions between Theodore Wirth Parkway and Morgan Avenue North for several hours, reopening shortly after 1 p.m.

The State Patrol said alcohol was not a factor and authorities continue to investigate.

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