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St. Cloud Woman Charged in Monticello Hit-and-Run That Injured Man and Killed Dog

Prosecutors will review a complaint that investigators say ties her to the crash through a broken mirror and surveillance footage.

Overview

  • The crash happened Friday, July 10 when a car struck a man and his 14-year-old Jack Russell Terrier as they crossed Jason Avenue near County Road 18 NE and Oak Ridge Drive; the man was taken to the hospital and the dog died.
  • Wright County investigators found a blue side mirror at the scene and reviewed video showing a blue Subaru Forester in the area with a matching damaged mirror, which helped identify the vehicle.
  • Detectives traced the Subaru to 62-year-old Denise Ethyl Lagou of St. Cloud and say surveillance from her workplace showed her checking damage to the car minutes after the crash.
  • Lagou was arrested and booked on probable cause for leaving the scene with injuries and a felony complaint filed in Wright County District Court alleges she did not stop to render aid.
  • The Wright County Attorney's Office will decide whether to file formal charges and the case illustrates how physical evidence and video are used to solve hit-and-run cases.