St. Paul hit-and-run: Michael Kentrell Smith charged with vehicular homicide in death of Amber Deneen
Michael Kentrell Smith, 39, was arrested and charged with vehicular homicide in Ramsey County after a hit-and-run on St. Anthony Avenue that killed 30-year-old Amber O. Deneen and her two dogs; police allege Smith slowed but did not stop at a stop sign before striking Deneen and witnesses say they followed and honked at the dark-colored SUV as it fled. Surveillance video shows the SUV at a nearby Speedway inspecting the front passenger tire, Smith told officers he thought he hit bike-lane cones and later said, “I don’t remember hitting nobody,” and his first court appearance is set for Tuesday while neighbors plan a memorial and police increase local speed enforcement.
📌 Key Facts
- Ramsey County Medical Examiner identified the victim as Amber O. Deneen, 30, of St. Paul.
- Suspect Michael Kentrell Smith, 39, was arrested, booked into the Ramsey County Jail and charged with vehicular homicide in Ramsey County; the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office is reviewing the case and his first court appearance is set for Tuesday morning.
- The criminal complaint alleges Smith slowed but did not stop at a stop sign before striking Deneen and her two dogs.
- A witness says they followed and honked at a dark-colored SUV after the collision but the driver did not stop; officers later stopped a dark-colored SUV matching the description at I-94 and Highway 52 on Saturday afternoon. Police provided a tip line: 651-266-5650.
- Surveillance video captured the SUV at a nearby Speedway where Smith is seen inspecting the front passenger tire, which investigators say matches scene evidence.
- In a police interview Smith said he thought he hit bike-lane protection cones and told officers, “I’m sorry man... I don’t remember hitting nobody.”
- Neighbors planned a community memorial at the crash site, posted 'Slow down' signs naming Amber Deneen and called for stronger traffic enforcement; St. Paul police said they will target speed enforcement at St. Anthony Ave. & Aldine St., deploy a speed trailer, and cited Toward Zero Deaths grant funding for enforcement focused on speeding, distracted/impaired driving, and pedestrian/bike safety.
📰 Sources (5)
Alleged St. Paul hit-and-run driver charged with vehicular homicide
New information:
- Suspect identified as Michael Kentrell Smith, 39, and charged with vehicular homicide in Ramsey County.
- Complaint alleges Smith slowed but did not stop at a stop sign before striking Deneen and her two dogs.
- Witness says they followed and honked at the SUV; the driver did not stop.
- Surveillance video shows the SUV at a nearby Speedway where Smith inspected the front passenger tire, matching scene evidence.
- Smith told police he thought he hit bike-lane protection cones; in the interview room he said, "I’m sorry man... I don’t remember hitting nobody."
- First court appearance set for Tuesday morning.
‘Shouldn’t have happened’: St. Paul neighbors worried about safety in area where driver fatally struck woman, 30
New information:
- St. Paul Police will target speed enforcement at St. Anthony Ave. & Aldine St. and deploy a speed trailer to collect speeding data and alert drivers.
- Ramsey County Attorney’s Office is reviewing the case for potential charges after Saturday’s arrest of a 39-year-old St. Paul man.
- A community memorial is planned at 5:13 p.m. at the crash site; neighbors posted 'Slow down' signs naming Amber Deneen and are calling for stronger traffic enforcement.
- Police cited state Toward Zero Deaths grant funding that underwrites enforcement focused on speeding, distracted/impaired driving, and pedestrian/bike safety.
St. Paul fatal hit-and-run victim identified, suspected driver arrested
New information:
- St. Paul police arrested a 39-year-old man suspected in the hit-and-run and booked him into the Ramsey County Jail on suspicion of criminal vehicular homicide.
- Officers stopped a dark-colored SUV matching the suspect vehicle at I-94 and Highway 52 on Saturday afternoon.
- Ramsey County Medical Examiner formally identified the victim as 30-year-old Amber O. Deneen (reaffirmed).
Pedestrian killed by hit-and-run driver identified as 30-year-old St. Paul woman
New information:
- Ramsey County Medical Examiner identified the victim as Amber O. Deneen, 30, of St. Paul.
- Police reiterated the suspect vehicle description (dark-colored SUV) and provided a tip line: 651-266-5650.