Eagan Man Charged After Fatal Hit-and-Run That Killed 40-Year-Old Woman; Prosecutors Cite Prior DWI Convictions
Provided by the Dakota County Jail.
Published: March 10th, 2026
EAGAN, MN: An Eagan man has been charged in Dakota County District Court after authorities say he struck and killed a 40-year-old woman with his vehicle early Saturday morning and fled the scene. Rolando O. Miranda Martinez, 58, of Eagan, is charged with Leaving the Scene of a Collision Resulting in Death, a felony under Minnesota law.
The charge stems from a March 7, 2026, crash near the intersection of Cliff Road and Nichols Road in Eagan, where officers found a woman lying unresponsive in the roadway. Authorities identified the victim as Leslie Ann Youngberg, 40, of Minnesota.
Original Story: Pedestrian Killed in Suspected Hit-and-Run Crash in Eagan
Crash Reported Around 2 a.m.
According to the criminal complaint, Eagan Police officers responded around 2:00 a.m. Saturday, reports of a hit-and-run crash. When officers arrived at the scene, they found Youngberg lying face down in the roadway on Cliff Road. She was unresponsive. Emergency responders transported her to a hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
Investigators learned from a witness that Youngberg and another individual were walking northbound on Nichols Road and crossing Cliff Road when the crash occurred. The witness told police he was about 20 feet ahead of Youngberg when a vehicle traveling eastbound on Cliff Road struck her.
The driver did not stop and continued eastbound after the collision.
Source: Google Maps
Vehicle Located Later That Morning
Investigators began searching for the suspect vehicle using vehicle parts left at the scene and nearby surveillance cameras. Police eventually identified a white Honda CR-V with significant front-end damage registered to Miranda Martinez.
At approximately 11:15 a.m. on March 7, officers located the vehicle at the defendant’s home in Eagan. While officers were waiting for additional backup units, they observed Miranda Martinez remove a backpack from the vehicle and enter an Uber.
Police conducted a traffic stop on the Uber and arrested him.
Statements Made to Police
According to the complaint, while sitting in the back of a squad car, Miranda Martinez made several spontaneous comments to officers.
Among the statements officers reported hearing were:
“One person in the road”
“I forgot to tell them, and I forget the person. That’s one person in the road. It’s a lady.”
After being advised of his Miranda rights, Miranda Martinez spoke further with investigators. He admitted that he had been driving his white Honda CR-V around 2:00 a.m. and struck what he described as “something” in the roadway on Cliff Road. Miranda Martinez told investigators he had been driving home from a bar in Minneapolis, though he denied consuming alcohol.
During the interview, he also stated that “a thing” jumped out at him and broke his windshield, damaging it significantly. He speculated to investigators that the person he struck might have been intoxicated or homeless, though he said he did not know. Miranda Martinez told police he went home because he was scared.
He was subsequently booked into the Dakota County Jail.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities say the investigation remains ongoing.
Several key pieces of evidence are still being analyzed, including:
Accident reconstruction conducted by the Minnesota State Patrol
Search warrants for Miranda Martinez’s phone
A blood sample obtained from the defendant
Those results had not yet been released at the time charges were filed. An autopsy on Youngberg was conducted by the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Bail Set at Up to $500,000
Prosecutors requested high bail, citing concerns about both flight risk and public safety. Prosecutors argued the defendant posed significant flight concerns, noting that officers saw him entering an Uber with a backpack shortly before his arrest. During a search of his residence, investigators also reported finding approximately $9,000 in cash.
The court set bail at:
$500,000 without conditions, or
$300,000 with conditions
Prior DWI Convictions
Court records show Miranda Martinez has three prior driving while impaired convictions in Minnesota.
Those include:
May 31, 2023 — Gross misdemeanor DWI (Hennepin County)
January 13, 2017 — Gross misdemeanor DWI (Hennepin County)
March 21, 2012 — Misdemeanor DWI (Dakota County)
In the 2023 Hennepin County case, Miranda Martinez pleaded guilty to Third-Degree Driving While Impaired after a rollover crash in Richfield. According to court documents in that case, officers noted signs of intoxication, and testing showed a blood-alcohol concentration above the legal limit. He ultimately received a gross misdemeanor conviction and probation sentence.
Prosecutors referenced those prior DWI convictions in the bail request, noting the defendant had a history of impaired driving.
Possible Additional Charges
Although Miranda Martinez is currently charged with leaving the scene of a collision resulting in death, investigators continue to analyze evidence from the crash. Additional charges could be possible depending on the results of the blood test and accident reconstruction analysis. Under Minnesota law, leaving the scene of a fatal crash carries a maximum sentence of up to three years in prison and fines between $1,500 and $5,000.
His next court date is set for March 31, 2026 at 1:30 PM in Hastings, Minnesota.
All charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
GoFundMe Created to Help Family After Tragic Loss
Youngberg's friends have also created a GoFundMe fundraiser to support her family and cover funeral expenses. According to the fundraiser, Youngberg was remembered by those close to her as a deeply caring and compassionate person who “brought warmth and kindness into every room she entered.”
Friends described her as more like a sister and a cherished member of their household. She was a devoted single mother to her 16-year-old son, and much of her life centered on caring for him and supporting others. Youngberg worked with young children at a local daycare, where friends say her gentle and nurturing nature made a lasting impact on many families.
Those who knew her also described her as having a strong love for animals and a kindness that touched everyone she met. The fundraiser notes that her sudden death has left a profound void for her family, friends, and the community, and donations will help support her son and assist with funeral and memorial service costs.
You can donate to the GoFundMe here: https://gofund.me/37eb4ccc1
Written By: Will Wight
Images of Youngberg credit GoFundMe.
