Driver arrested in Minneapolis crash that killed St. Thomas student

After two days on the run, a 21-year-old man was arrested in connection with an early-morning crash in northeast Minneapolis on Sunday that killed a University of St. Thomas student.

Wright County authorities took the man into custody at 5 a.m. Tuesday, and after an evaluation at North Memorial Health Hospital, he was booked into the Hennepin County jail on suspicion of criminal vehicular homicide. He is expected to be charged Wednesday.

Ria Patel, a 20-year-old junior, 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.

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

Police say the suspect was driving when his car hit a traffic signal post.

When officers arrived at the 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 Patel, 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.

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.

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).

Andy Mannix • 612-673-4036