Driver who hit mom, kids in MN intersection, fled is police chaplain

Eden Prairie investigators soon learned that the chaplain was a possible suspect and turned his name over to the State Patrol. A trooper went to the supect’s home, about 3 miles north of the crash scene, and found the pickup parked outside with fresh damage to the left front side and the driver’s side mirror.

The suspect said “he was distracted by a text message on his cellphone,” according to the affidavit. “He stated that he opened his texting application, and when he looked to read the message, he heard a bump.”

The suspect said that he “never stopped to check on what he hit and that he saw his mirror was damaged. He stated that he never called 911 to report the crash or damage.”

“Watch for pedestrians and use extra caution,” he said. “If you’re walking, please be careful and watch for vehicles. … It was wrong for someone to hit my family and drive away. I also don’t want this to happen to anyone else. Don’t let this person keep you from enjoying time with your family outdoors.”