Sister of Roseville hit-and-run victim calls for driver to come forward

Nearly two weeks after a deadly hit-and-run in Roseville, Minnesota, police are still looking for the driver responsible.

The alleged driver, 36-year-old Daniel Alexander Jennings, is charged with failing to stop at a crash. He faces up to three years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Justice Strong, the victim’s sister, says she’s hoping the man will turn himself in.

“He ran my brother over, he left without speaking to authorities and I wouldn’t want that for anybody else,” she said.

Around 2 a.m. on July 22, a vehicle struck and killed her brother, Michael Strong, near the intersection of Cleveland Avenue and Oakcrest Avenue. He was just 23 years old.

Now, a memorial with flowers and his picture stands along the roadway in his memory.

“My brother was so young... it just really broke my heart,” said Justice.

According to the criminal complaint, before the crash, Michael Strong made suicidal comments. A semi truck driver later saw him lying in the road. The truck driver told police when he saw a vehicle approaching, he tried honking his horn to get the vehicle to slow down, but the vehicle kept going and hit Michael.

The charges say surveillance video shows the alleged driver, Jennings, got out of the car, walked over where the body was and then got back in the vehicle and left.

“What if he did it again?” said Justice Strong. “And to me, that just shows no remorse for my brother, you know?"

Later that day, Jennings called Roseville police, admitting he was the driver. He told police he didn't see the person in time and there was "nothing he could do," according to the charges. He then agreed to come to the police station, but he never showed up.

For Michael's family, the wait for closure lingers on.

“I’m hoping he can just turn himself in and handle his responsibilities,” said Justice Strong.

Anyone with information on Jennings’ whereabouts is urged to contact the Roseville Police Department.