Minneapolis crash victim ID'd as St. Thomas student; driver still at large

The woman who died while riding in a car that crashed late at night over the weekend in northeast Minneapolis was identified Monday, and the driver who ran from the scene remains at large.

Ria Patel, a 20-year-old junior at the University of St. Thomas, was killed in the wreck about 3:50 a.m. Sunday near the southwest edge of Hillside Cemetery at the intersection of Stinson Boulevard NE. and Ridgway Parkway, a family acquaintance told the Star Tribune.

The Hennepin County medical examiner's office said Patel died from head injuries.

Police said they are still looking for the driver, whose car hit a traffic signal post. Authorities have not identified him. The car is registered to a 22-year-old man with a Shakopee address.

Before attending St. Thomas, Patel graduated from the International School of Minnesota in Eden Prairie, said Vijay Dixit, who knew Patel because her family attended his distracted-driving talks.

When officers arrived at the crash scene, they found Patel trapped, lacking a pulse and not breathing, according to emergency dispatch audio.

A witness told police that the driver ran before officers showed up.

An officer said a man's identification was found near the woman, and it led police to a home in the 2900 block of Randolph Street NE., the dispatch audio said. Police learned that the man had left that address intoxicated and with his girlfriend.

Video surveillance from a building operated by Honeywell near the location of the crash captured images of the suspect, the dispatch communication indicated.

Anyone with information about the crash is urged to text 847411 (TIP411) with any tips. Enter MPD, a space, and then the information. All texts are anonymous. Tips can also be called in to police at 612-692-TIPS (8477).

Prayers were scheduled for 7 to 7:30 p.m. Monday with a Hindu service to follow at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, 2300 Freeway Blvd., Brooklyn Center.