Suspect arrested, charged in hit-and-run that killed pedestrian in Owatonna

A suspect who police believe is the driver in a fatal hit-and-run near Owatonna has been arrested and is now facing criminal charges.

According to the Owatonna Police Department, a hit-and-run crash involving a pedestrian was reported at the 3700 block of County Road 45 North on Wednesday.

The pedestrian, identified as 31-year-old Dean Padilla-Ades, was declared dead.

The vehicle believed to have been involved in the crash was later found by police that same day, as well as its driver, 42-year-old Derek Paul Denelsbeck of Owatonna.

Denelsbeck is charged with one count of criminal vehicular homicide and remains in custody at the Steele County Jail.

According to a criminal complaint, Denelsbeck told investigators he thought he hit a deer with his Chevrolet Silverado. He also expressed his disbelief that someone was out walking around 5 a.m.

“This was five in the morning,” Denelsbeck said during a call with an Owatonna Police Department detective. “Who the f— walks on the side of the road at five in the f—ing morning on the frontage road?”

At a court hearing on Friday, a judge set Denelsbeck’s bail at $10,000. His next hearing is set for Dec. 23.