Woman Charged in Downtown Minneapolis Hit-and-Run that Killed Teen, Hurt 5
Photo via Hennepin County Jail
A 22-year-old Minneapolis woman has been charged with second-degree murder in a fatal hit-and-run that claimed the life of a 16-year-old girl and injured five others in downtown Minneapolis early Saturday morning.
Latalia Anjolie Margalli is accused of driving her SUV into a crowd during a fight between two groups near 5th Street and Hennepin Avenue, killing De’Miaya Broome, 16, and injuring at least five others.
The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office announced charges of second-degree murder and five counts of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon on Tuesday, Sept. 17.
“This was a devastating crime,” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said. “Ms. Margalli’s life-altering decision to drive her car into a group of people has left De’Miaya’s family with an enormous void. No outcome will ever bring back De’Miaya, who loved art and dreamed of becoming a nurse. We will seek accountability for her death in a way that protects our community from further dangerous behavior.”
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According to the criminal complaint, it happened shortly after midnight on Saturday, Sept. 14. Minneapolis police were dispatched to the area of 5th and Hennepin on reports of a hit-and-run and arrived to find several people injured.
Witnesses and surveillance footage revealed that Margalli had been involved in a verbal altercation with Broome and her friends, which escalated into a physical fight on the street. Margalli then got into her SUV, reversed quickly and knocked a passenger to the ground with the open door. Seconds later, she accelerated, driving the wrong way on 5th Street directly into the crowd without braking.
One of the people injured in the incident told police that Margalli said, "I'm going to shoot you" before she got into her SUV.
Broome was struck and transported to a hospital, where she was later declared deceased. Five others were hurt, ranging from bruises to broken legs and a head injury. Margalli fled the scene but was located by police shortly after with assistance from a witness who followed her vehicle.
Margalli remains in custody on second-degree murder and five counts of second-degree assault. Her bail was set Tuesday at $1.5 million and her next court appearance is set for Wednesday afternoon.
The fatal Minneapolis crash came just weeks after two people were killed and several others injured when a man drove into a restaurant patio in St. Louis Park. He has since been charged with murder.
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