A Delano teen has been charged in a deadly hit and run that killed a man and his dog in Plymouth Wednesday night, and authorities say the crash stemmed from a street race challenge.
Charges filed in Hennepin County on Friday say that Jack Henry Blaschke, 19, fled from the scene after hitting a pedestrian and then failed to report the crash.
The incident occurred just before 9 p.m. on Wednesday, April 28 on the 17200 block of County Road 24 in Plymouth, Minnesota.
Plymouth police responded to a report of a male unconscious in a driveway of a residence where bystanders had begun CPR. Upon arrival, witnesses told police that the man and his dog had been struck by a vehicle. Officers attempted to give emergency medical assistance to the victim while waiting for EMS. The victim was transported to North Memorial Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased due to massive internal injuries. The victim’s black Lab was also found deceased about 100 feet away from the victim.
The victim was identified by the county medical examiner on Friday as 65-year-old Gregory Michael Schneider of Plymouth.
Witnesses told police that Blaschke had pulled up next to another vehicle that was stopped at a red light waiting to turn west on County Road 24. They said Blaschke honked three times, apparently indicating a desire to challenge the driver of the other vehicle to a street race, the charges state.
Blaschke accelerated at a speed reaching well over 70 mph in a 45-mph zone. Blaschke’s vehicle then struck the victim and his dog, who were crossing the street. Witnesses stated that after being struck, the victim flew through the air and landed on the driveway. Blaschke fled the scene and refused to return, even after witnesses told him he had hit someone.
Police later located Blaschke and took him into custody.
Blaschke claimed that he was driving in the right lane at a speed of 40-45 mph when he came around a curve and a guy and his dog were right there in front of him.
Blaschke stated that he panicked and went north on County Road 101 after hitting the man, while his friend in another vehicle went in the opposite direction and called him about striking the pedestrian.
Blaschke admitted to police that he decided not to return to the scene and instead went to a friend’s house. Blaschke admitted that his father had warned him several times in the past about consequences related to his driving and that he had just been arrested for a DWI in Plymouth weeks earlier. Blaschke stated that he was suicidal and asked if he would be going to prison.
Blaschke, who has two prior petty misdemeanor citations for speeding, has been charged with two counts of felony criminal vehicular homicide involving operating a motor vehicle in a grossly negligent manner and leaving the scene.
Blaschke remains in custody on $150,000 bail and his first court appearance is scheduled for Monday.
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Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.
Crime Watch MN
Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.
