Linskie Sentenced in Twin Ponds Hit and Run

The 31-year-old Twin Ports man who drove his car off of Skyline Parkway near Twin Ponds in Duluth, striking and killing Susan LeGarde Menz receiving a guideline prison sentence of seven years and four months, today, according to St. Louis County Attorney Mark Rubin.

A St. Louis County jury deliberated less than an hour during a trial in November, before finding Justin Paul Linskie guilty of criminal vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of the accident.

An 88-month sentence was handed down by Judge Shaun Floerke in State District Court in Duluth.

Susan Menz, was a popular St. Louis County employee who was married to former longtime University of Minnesota-Duluth athletic department equipment manager, Rick Menz, had been photographing fall colors at Twin Ponds, when Linski ran his vehicle into the victim around 6 p.m., on October 13, 2015.

Linskie drove his SUV off the road and into one of the Twin Ponds after striking the victim. Menz was found unconscious in the water by assisting citizens. They pulled her out of the water and administered aid until the first responders arrived. Witnesses said they saw the defendant flee the area.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant St. Louis County Attorney Vicky Wanta.