Woman charged in Minneapolis high-speed crash that killed 2 women, injured 2 others
The scene of the crash at 26th Avenue North and Emerson Avenue North in Minneapolis. (FOX 9)
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - A Minneapolis woman has been charged after she allegedly sped through a red light, causing a collision that killed two women and injured two others.
Teniki Steward, 38, has been charged with two counts of criminal vehicular homicide, and two counts of criminal vehicular operation.
Charges in fatal Emerson and 26th crash
What we know: According to the charges, through surveillance videos from the scene of the crash and witnesses, investigators learned that Steward, who was driving a Buick Enclave, had been driving at a high rate of speed northbound on Emerson Avenue North.
Before the fatal crash, Steward sped through the intersection of Emerson Avenue North and Broadway Avenue North, running a red light and nearly causing a crash, the charges allege.
Steward then continued to speed northbound down Emerson Avenue North, and ran another red light at 26th Avenue North, hitting a Ford Explorer, which was traveling eastbound, the charges said. The Ford Explorer had been at the intersection of Emerson and 26th on a green light.
Both of the women in the Ford Explorer died in the crash. They were identified as 53-year-old Ester Jean Fulks and 57-year-old Rose Elaine Reece.
During the crash, the Ford Explorer went off the road, injuring a 17-year-old boy who was waiting for a school bus. The passenger in Steward's vehicle also suffered injuries.
Minneapolis police said that Steward was injured in the crash.
Steward is currently in custody.
What we don't know: The conditions of the two people injured in the crash is not known.
Digging deeper: According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Steward had her driver's license revoked in November 2023 due to having no proof of insurance. At the time of the crash, she did not have a driver's license, only a Minnesota ID card.
Hennepin County Attorney reacts
What they're saying: "Our office has been in close communication with the Minneapolis Police Department regarding this case, which was submitted to our office on Thursday and charged Friday," Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said. "This was another completely avoidable incident of a car being driven irresponsibly with disastrous consequences. Our thoughts are with the surviving victims and with the families of the two members of our community who were killed."