MINNEAPOLIS— A 35-year-old woman pleaded guilty Friday in connection with her role in a fatal collision in Maplewood that happened last year.
Court records show that Ashley Couch, of St. Paul, has filed a petition to enter a guilty plea to unintentional second-degree murder and second-degree assault. The petition comes three months after Couch pleaded not guilty to both charges.
The accident happened on August 16 at Larpenteur Avenue East and Dieter Street North.
According to the complaint, two groups of people agreed to meet at that intersection that evening for a fight after another altercation earlier in the day. Couch was associated with one group, while the victims of the hit-and-run were part of the other.
According to the complaint, the two victims were standing outside a car at the intersection when a driver of a Dodge Charger drove into Larpenteur, struck the car and continued driving. The surviving victim was thrown into the air.
The other victim, identified as 23 years old Zakirrah Andersonhad injuries that “appeared to be consistent with being dragged under a vehicle for an extended distance,” investigators said. She was taken to hospital where she later died.
Police arrested Couch after “a concerned citizen” called Maplewood police and identified her as a suspect, the complaint said. The caller also said Couch had hidden the vehicle. St. Paul police found the vehicle in an alley, with significant damage.
After being shown video of the collision, Couch denied intentionally hitting anyone, the complaint said.
She will be sentenced on March 3.
Note: The above video first aired on August 18, 2024
