A woman has been arrested and charged with the fatal hit-and-run of a college student in Minneapolis last month.
Around 3 a.m. on March 22, Seham Hassen was hit by a car as she prepared to cross the street near 1623 Marshal Road NE. Hassen, a 22-year-old St. Thomas University student, was scheduled to graduate this spring. She died in the hospital.
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Gabryella Marie Liebgott, 22, of St. Paul, was detained on Sunday following the crash. She is now charged with Criminal Vehicular Homicide—Driver Causes Collision and Leaves Scene, as well as Criminal Vehicular Homicide—Operate Motor Vehicle in Grossly Negligent Manner.
According to the criminal complaint, nearby video captured the accident. Hassen was going to cross the street but took a step back to avoid an oncoming automobile. The complaint describes the impact as “violent.” When the car hit Hassen, her body was pushed onto the windshield before sliding beneath the speeding vehicle. Court documents state that remnants of her clothing and the car were discovered in the roadway, as well as the driver’s side mirror, which had broken off.
Police were unable to identify the vehicle and lost sight of it on traffic cameras. News agencies, including KARE 11, distributed images of the suspect vehicle throughout the metro area. On March 30, investigators discovered that a vehicle matching the description had been taken to a repair shop in Washington County. According to the criminal complaint, the car belonged to a relative of Leibgott, and detectives utilized cell tower data to link her phone to the same location as the crash at the same time.
When investigators spoke with Leibgott’s pals, they admitted to drinking that night, according to court filings. Following the crash, the pals claimed they spoke with Leibgott, who allegedly told them she was aware she had struck someone but had not turned herself in.
She is currently in detention and will be in court on Tuesday.
“The death of Seham Hassen is a tragic loss,” Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara stated in a press release. “The loss for Seham’s family and loved ones is deep, and we hope that this step toward justice offers them with some relief. I am grateful to our investigators for discovering the individual guilty for Seham’s death and bringing her to justice.
