An unlicensed driver was jailed on allegations she was under the influence when she caused a collision at a Minneapolis intersection that killed two women in the other vehicle, police said Wednesday.
Police: Unlicensed driver was under influence when she caused crash in Minneapolis that killed 2
The jailed suspect was driving after having her license revoked, according to the state Department of Public Safety.
The Minnesota Star Tribune
December 18, 2024 at 8:52PM
Teniki Latrice Elise Steward, 38, of Minneapolis was booked into the Hennepin County jail Tuesday on suspicion of criminal vehicular homicide in connection with the crash late Monday morning.
Police records show they believe she was under the influence of a controlled substance at the time of the crash.
Also Wednesday, officials identified the two women who died in the crash as Esther Jean Fulks, 53, and Rose Elaine Reece, 57, both of Minneapolis. They died soon after the wreck at 26th and Emerson avenues N., the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office said. Fulks died at the scene, while Reece was declared dead at North Memorial Health Hospital.
Steward and a man with her were taken by emergency medical personnel to a hospital for treatment of their injuries, as was a 17-year-old boy waiting at a Metro Transit bus shelter to be picked up for school, police said.
An HCMC spokesperson said that Steward’s passenger, 61-year-old Jerome Marcell Williams of Minneapolis, was in satisfactory condition. Court records show the two have shared a home at one time.
Officials have not released the identity of the injured teenager nor disclosed his medical condition.
Steward’s northbound vehicle on Emerson struck the women’s vehicle as it headed east on 26th, police said. The impact sent the eastbound vehicle into the bus shelter, where it caught fire.
Along with Steward being impaired by drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash, police also have said they suspect speeding also played a role in the collision.
At the time of the crash, Steward was behind the wheel after having her driving privileges revoked more than a year ago, according the State Department of Public Safety. Court records in Minnesota show that Steward has been ticketed twice since 2021 for driving without a license.
Fulks was “a mother of four and very loved in her community!” daughter D’Nia Fulks posted on an online fundraising page started on behalf of the family.
Fulks said a balloon release will be held at the intersection at 2 p.m. Saturday in memory of her mother and Reece. A vigil will also take place at the intersection at 1 p.m. Sunday.
The council recently voted to direct the city to return to its scrapped plan to limit traffic at the intersection where George Floyd was killed.
