Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis auditor to probe Allison Lussier death investigation, release report
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – The Minneapolis city auditor will conduct a special review of the police department’s investigation into Allison Lussier’s death, a move welcomed by her family.
City auditor to review Allison Lussier’s death investigation
The backstory:
After a request from her family, the Minneapolis city auditor will review Allison Lussier’s death investigation, which her family claimed police botched. The move, which was announced Monday night, comes more than a year after her body was discovered in her North Loop apartment. Lussier suffered a head injury, but police also said she had large amounts of fentanyl and methamphetamine in her system. The medical examiner ultimately ruled her manner of death as “undetermined,” which frustrated her family members who believe her boyfriend killed her. They said her death came after a history of domestic violence involving the couple.
What they’re saying:
Lussier’s family rejoiced after word broke that the city would undertake an audit of her death investigation.
“We were ecstatic. We were happy over it, of course. We need transparency,” said her aunt Jana Williams. “We need somebody that’s going to look at this without jaded eyes, you know, and give us a fair shot as to what happened here.”
“It was a relief, you know, and – because we’ve been fighting for this for a year now, and it’s just been a rough one,” recalled her sister Tiffany Jackson.
Minneapolis police chief foresees possible policy changes after audit but no criminal charges
What could happen after audit:
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said on Tuesday that he suspects the audit could prompt policy changes but not criminal charges.
“In order to convict someone of a crime requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt, and we have a medical examiner that’s saying the manner of death is undetermined,” he said. “The best possible outcome we could have is that maybe there’s some policy or some practice that we improve for the future, which is great and I’m all for that.”
What’s next:
The city auditor’s office said the special review will take several months. It will then release a report detailing its findings to city administrators.
The scene of the crash at 26th Avenue North and Emerson Avenue North in Minneapolis. (FOX 9)
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – A Minneapolis woman was sentenced for her role in a deadly crash that killed two women and injured two other people in December 2024.
READ MORE: Minneapolis woman charged in fatal high-speed crash faces additional charges
Woman sentenced in fatal Minneapolis crash
Big picture view:
Prosecutors say Teniki Steward drove a Buick Enclave into a bus shelter and a Ford Explorer after speeding through a red light.
Both of the women in the Ford Explorer died in the crash. They were identified as 53-year-old Ester Jean Fulks and 57-year-old Rose Elaine Reece.
During the crash, the Ford Explorer went off the road, injuring a 17-year-old boy who was waiting for a school bus.
The passenger in Steward’s vehicle also suffered injuries.
Minneapolis police said that Steward was also injured in the crash.
Steward pleaded guilty to multiple murder charges.
What they’re saying:
During the sentencing, the daughter of one of the victims had a statement read on her behalf:
“There’s nothing that can truly prepare you for the moment your entire world is taken from you. Losing my mom has left a pain in my heart that words will never be able to explain.”
What’s next:
Minnesota law requires that Steward serves at least two-thirds of her sentence, a bit under eight-and-a-half years, in prison.
Fatal Emerson and 26th crash
The backstory:
According to the criminal complaint, through surveillance videos from the scene of the crash and witnesses, investigators learned that Steward, driving the Buick Enclave, had been driving at a high rate of speed northbound on Emerson Avenue North.
Before the fatal crash, Steward sped through the intersection of Emerson Avenue North and Broadway Avenue North, running a red light and nearly causing a crash, the charges said.
Steward then continued to speed northbound down Emerson Avenue North, and ran another red light at 26th Avenue North, hitting the Ford Explorer, which was traveling eastbound, according to the complaint.
The Ford Explorer had been at the intersection of Emerson and 26th on a green light.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty shared the following statement:
“This was an egregious act that took Rose and Esther’s lives and injured a child waiting to go to school at a bus stop. Ms. Steward was driving at extremely dangerous speeds on city streets and narrowly avoided multiple collisions before the incident occurred. Third-degree murder charges are appropriate to hold her accountable and protect our community.”
The Source: This story uses information gathered from an Olmsted County court appearance and previous FOX 9 reporting.
A motorcyclist is dead after an early morning crash in Minneapolis Friday morning.
The Minnesota State Patrol said that at 1:20 a.m., a Suzuki Motorcycle going north on I-35W at Johnson Street hit the left side of the median guard rail.
The motorcycle continued north for about another quarter mile before coming to a rest on the right-hand side.
State Patrol said the rider came to rest on the left shoulder. He was later identified as 21-year-old Andrew James Neuberger.
ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – The Rochester Spartans boys volleyball team played its second game on consecutive nights. The Spartans beat Minneapolis Camden 3-0.
Rochester’s next game will be Tuesday, April 21, at St. Anthony Village at 7:00 p.m.
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