Criminal Vehicular Homicide Charges Filed in Duluth Hit and Run

Criminal vehicular homicide charges have been filed against a Superior man following a fatal hit and run on Skyline Parkway Tuesday night. 

30-year-old Justin Linskie was charged with criminal vehicular homicide and leaving the scene for the death of 60-year-old Susan Legarde-Menz. 

Authorities say Linskie was driving on Skyline Parkway just after 6 p.m. Tuesday when his vehicle struck Legarde-Menz, who was walking in the area. 

Linskie veered off the the road, driving into one of the ponds. 

According to the criminal complaint, witnesses said they watched Linskie climb out of the water and flee on foot from the crash scene. 

Legarde-Menz was found floating in the water.   Eyewitnesses pulled her out and administered first aid until help arrived. She was rushed by ambulance to Essentia Health St. Mary’s Hospital, where she died of her injuries. 

Linskie was tracked down several hours after the crash.  Authorities identified him by paperwork left in the vehicle and the description from witnesses on scene. 

The criminal complaint says that Linskie admitted to authorities that he was behind the wheel at the time of the crash, and admitted to fleeing the scene. 

Police learned before the crash, Linskie had been getting treatment at the Genesis Building, but left early because he apparently wasn’t feeling well. 

Prosecutors say that Linskie has quite the rap sheet, including felony convictions for receiving stolen property, fifth degree possession of a controlled substance, theft and two DWI’s.   His driver’s license has been suspended six times for failing to appear in court or failing to pay fines. 

Linskie is currently on probation for a federal drug conviction. 

He is being held in the St. Louis County Jail on $250,000 bail. If convicted on the criminal vehicular homicide charges, he could face up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine. 

He is set to appear in court again on November 4.