ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) A Vadnais Heights woman is charged with one count of criminal vehicular homicide after the hit-and-run death of a 92-year-old motorcyclist in St. Paul on Friday morning.
According to the Ramsey County Attorney’s office, 26-year-old Autumn Brenae Mason stopped at a stop sign at the intersection of Ivy Avenue and Prosperity Avenue at 7:45 a.m.
Roy W. Kromschroeder, 92, was also at a stopped at the intersection, which is controlled by stop signs in all directions.
A witness said Mason and Kromschroeder each appeared to be waiting for the other to go. Just as Kromschroeder proceeded, Mason accelerated rapidly, hitting Kromschroeder in the middle of the intersection. The witness said Mason accelerated in a manner which gave the impression of impatience.
Kromschroeder’s helmet flew off on impact and he landed on his head, causing severe injuries.
Another witness says after the accident, Mason got out of the SUV, checked on Kromschroeder, then fled in her vehicle at a high speed. That same witness attempted to follow Mason in order to get her license plate, but soon stopped due to Mason’s unsafe speed.
Investigators found Mason’s license plate on top of Kromschroeder’s motorcycle, and tracked down the vehicle to Mason’s mother’s home. Her mother is the SUV’s registered owner.
Officers waited near the SUV until Mason left the home and approached the vehicle some 20 minutes after the accident. Mason admitted to police that she was driving the SUV, but she didn’t remember anything because she “blacked out.” She was then taken to the Ramsey County Law Enforcement Center.
Mason told investigators she stopped at the four-way stop sign, looked both ways, but didn’t see Kromschroeder. She says she saw a sun glare, blacked out, and the next thing she remembered was being near Lake Phalen.
Mason added that she must have “panicked” and was “scared.”
Kromschroeder died later that day from his injuries.
Mason is being held at the Ramsey County Jail, and her bail is set at $50,000.
