Police: Fatal Golden Valley crash not road rage, but charges still pending
Homicide charges are pending against a driver accused of fatally striking a man as he exited his vehicle in Golden Valley late Friday, according to authorities.
The Golden Valley Police Department's investigative unit has submitted the case to the Hennepin County Attorney's Office for consideration of criminal vehicular homicide charges, Asst. Police Chief Rudy Perez confirmed Monday afternoon.
The fatal incident happened shortly before midnight Friday on Highway 100 and escalated on Duluth Street, police said.
While initially described by police as a "road rage incident," Perez said the investigation is not considered a road rage investigation and "road rage" was only used in the police statement because of the initial call officers received.
Perez confirmed the victim was struck by a driver as he exited his vehicle and all parties involved in the incident knew each other.
Multiple suspects were detained in connection with the incident and taken to North Memorial Hospital for evaluation and treatment, along with witnesses, police said.
According to the Star Tribune, family has identified the victim as 42-year-old Michael Lawver.
His sister, Carrie Remiarz, wrote on GoFundMe that her brother appeared to be driving erratically before he got out of his vehicle because he was "getting punched in the face by the guy in the truck with him."
Remiarz alleges her brother was purposely hit and run over by the driver who is now jailed in connection with criminal vehicular homicide.
Lawver was "full of life and he finally got his life right" before his death, she wrote. "I still can't comprehend the fact that my brother is gone."
This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
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