Owatonna Man Claims He Hit a Deer Before Fatal Accident
- Law enforcement identified the suspect through details from vehicle parts found at the scene.
- The suspect claimed to have thought he struck a deer during the early hours of the morning.
- The incident underscores the serious consequences of hit-and-run situations and the legal repercussions for suspects.
On Wednesday morning, November 4, 2024, in Owatonna, Minnesota, a fatal hit-and-run incident resulted in the death of 31-year-old Taylor Padilla-Ades. Law enforcement received reports of an unresponsive individual in a ditch along with vehicle parts found nearby on County Road 45 North. Officers discovered a red plastic piece at the scene that matched parts from a Chevrolet Silverado manufactured between 2007 and 2013. This led investigators to a 42-year-old man from Owatonna who owned a vehicle with identical damage. Upon visiting the suspect's residence, authorities found a red Chevrolet Silverado with recent front-end damage. The suspect then contacted police, expressing surprise and claiming he believed he hit a deer earlier that morning. He stated he did not notice anything unusual until he heard a loud bang while driving at 5 AM, indicating a clear lack of awareness about the accident. This situation has drawn attention to the events surrounding and the legal implications of the collision, as charges of criminal vehicular homicide have been filed against the suspect in Steele County court.