Eagan hit-and-run suspect with 3 prior DWIs claimed victim ‘jumped’ in front of SUV
Police arrested Rolando Miranda Martinez in connection with a fatal hit-and-run Saturday in Eagan that killed 40-year-old Leslie Youngberg; Martinez, who has three prior DWI convictions (2012–2023), is charged in Dakota County with leaving the scene of a collision resulting in death and faces related counts prosecutors say include criminal vehicular homicide. Investigators say he fled after the crash despite heavy front-end and windshield damage to his white Honda CR‑V, attempted to leave his home in an Uber before being taken into custody, and allegedly told officers that "a thing" jumped out in front of him, that it was drunk or homeless, and that he was returning from a Minneapolis bar but denied drinking; police obtained warrants for his phone and a blood sample and toxicology results are pending.
📌 Key Facts
- Authorities identified the suspect as Rolando Miranda Martinez and the victim as 40-year-old Leslie Youngberg.
- Martinez is charged in Dakota County with multiple counts related to the crash — reports include criminal vehicular homicide and a charge of leaving the scene of a collision resulting in death — with charging documents listing related counts and maximum penalties.
- Records show Martinez has three prior DWI convictions between 2012 and 2023.
- Prosecutors’ complaint and police say Martinez left the scene after the collision; his white Honda CR‑V had heavy front-end and windshield damage, and officers allege he tried to leave his home in an Uber before being arrested.
- According to charging documents and squad-car statements, Martinez told officers there was 'one person in the road' and 'it’s a lady,' and he later claimed 'a thing' jumped out in front of him, saying the person was drunk or homeless and that he had been returning from a Minneapolis bar but denied drinking.
- The complaint alleges impairment, excessive speed, and other actions before and after the crash that prosecutors say explain why he fled; Dakota County Attorney’s Office and Eagan Police provided statements about the investigation and pedestrian safety in the Cliff/Nicols area.
- Police obtained search warrants for Martinez’s phone and a blood sample; toxicology results are pending, and court records show bond conditions and a next court date/judge assignment have been set.
📊 Relevant Data
In 2016, Latinos accounted for 23% of DUI arrests in the US, while comprising approximately 17.8% of the population, indicating an overrepresentation on a per capita basis.
Race/ethnicity, community of residence, and DUI arrest after California Proposition 47 — PMC - NCBI
In 2020, Black individuals accounted for 14% of DUI arrests in the US (143,420 arrests), while comprising 12.4% of the population, indicating a slight overrepresentation on a per capita basis.
Estimated number of arrests by offense and race, 2020 — Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP)
In 2020, American Indian or Alaska Native individuals accounted for 2.6% of DUI arrests in the US (26,290 arrests), while comprising 1.1% of the population, indicating an overrepresentation on a per capita basis.
Estimated number of arrests by offense and race, 2020 — Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP)
The most vulnerable quintile of zip codes, comprising the most vulnerable 20% of the U.S. population, had more than three times as many hit-and-run fatalities as the least vulnerable quintile.
Understanding the Increase in Fatal Hit-and-Run Crashes — AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety
📰 Source Timeline (3)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Identifies the suspect as Rolando Miranda Martinez and the victim as 40-year-old Leslie Youngberg.
- Reveals that Martinez has three prior DWI convictions between 2012 and 2023.
- Details Martinez’s post-crash behavior: leaving the scene, heavy front-end and windshield damage to his white Honda CR‑V, and attempting to leave his home in an Uber before arrest.
- Quotes Martinez’s alleged spontaneous statements in the squad car about 'one person in the road' and 'it’s a lady.'
- Reports Martinez’s claim that 'a thing' jumped out in front of him, that 'it' was drunk or homeless, and that he was returning from a Minneapolis bar but denied drinking.
- Notes that police obtained search warrants for his phone and a blood sample, with toxicology results pending.
- Specifies the current charge as leaving the scene of a collision resulting in death (driver did not cause).
- Identifies the suspect by name, age and city of residence as charged in Dakota County.
- Details the specific criminal counts filed (e.g., criminal vehicular homicide and related charges) and the maximum penalties attached to each.
- Provides additional narrative from the complaint about the suspect’s actions before and after the crash, including alleged impairment, speed, and why prosecutors say he fled.
- Includes bond amount, conditions of release (if any), and next court date/assignment of judge.
- Adds any quoted statements from Dakota County Attorney’s Office or Eagan Police about the case and about pedestrian safety on Cliff/Nicols.