St. Paul hit-and-run: Michael Kentrell Smith charged with vehicular homicide in death of Amber Deneen
Thirty-year-old Amber O. Deneen of St. Paul was killed in a hit-and-run after being struck while walking with her two dogs; police arrested 39-year-old Michael Kentrell Smith and charged him with vehicular homicide in Ramsey County. The complaint says Smith slowed but did not stop at a stop sign before striking Deneen, witnesses followed and honked as he fled, surveillance showed the SUV at a nearby Speedway inspecting a front passenger tire, and Smith told officers he thought he hit bike-lane cones and said, "I’m sorry man... I don’t remember hitting nobody"; neighbors have planned a memorial and are calling for increased traffic enforcement.
📌 Key Facts
- Ramsey County Medical Examiner identified the victim as Amber O. Deneen, 30, of St. Paul.
- The complaint alleges a dark-colored SUV slowed but did not stop at a stop sign before striking Deneen and her two dogs.
- Suspect Michael Kentrell Smith, 39, was arrested after officers stopped a dark-colored SUV matching the description at I-94 and Highway 52; he has been charged with vehicular homicide and was booked into the Ramsey County Jail.
- Surveillance video shows the SUV at a nearby Speedway where Smith inspected the front passenger tire, matching evidence at the scene; a witness said they followed and honked at the SUV but the driver did not stop.
- 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."
- The Ramsey County Attorney’s Office is reviewing the case following the arrest, and Smith's first court appearance is set for Tuesday morning.
- St. Paul police announced targeted speed enforcement at St. Anthony Ave. & Aldine St., will deploy a speed trailer to collect speeding data and alert drivers, and cited state Toward Zero Deaths grant funding for enforcement on speeding, distracted/impaired driving, and pedestrian/bike safety.
- 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 provided a tip line at 651-266-5650.
📊 Relevant Data
Non-Hispanic Black pedestrians experience a fatality rate 236% higher than non-Hispanic Whites, while Hispanic or Latino pedestrians experience a fatality rate 84% higher than non-Hispanic Whites nationally.
Motor Vehicle Fatality Disparities by Race or Ethnic Origin — Injury Facts - National Safety Council
In Minneapolis, Black residents make up 19% of the population but account for 26% of fatal vehicle crashes.
2022 Vision Zero Crash Study — City of Minneapolis
From 2020 to 2024, over 81,000 new Americans moved to Minnesota, making immigration the primary driver of population change.
Immigration became the leading component of population growth in Minnesota this decade — Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
In 2024, nearly 3,000 refugees resettled in Minnesota, or 52 refugee arrivals per 100,000 residents.
The past, present, and future of immigration in Minnesota — MN Compass
Hit-and-run incidents show increased risk in early morning, poor light conditions, and on weekends.
Factors associated with hit-and-run pedestrian fatalities and driver identification — PubMed
Heavy traffic volumes are more prevalent in disadvantaged socioeconomic areas, creating heightened risks for pedestrians.
Exploring Risk Factors to Disparities in Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety — Federal Highway Administration
📰 Source Timeline (6)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- 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.
- 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 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).
- 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.