Trial progresses in case of man charged with murder in Uptown crash

Rebecca Omastiak KSTP

Nicholas Kraus. (Hennepin County Sheriff's Office)

Monday, a trial progressed in the case of a driver involved in an Uptown crash that killed a woman and injured multiple people last summer.

Nicholas Kraus, 36, faces second-degree murder and assault charges in the death of Deona Knajdek.

Investigators said they believed Kraus was drinking before he ran his vehicle into a parked vehicle last June. That vehicle then hit a crowd of protesters in Uptown, killing Knajdek and injuring three others.

Police said Kraus told them he admitted to accelerating because he was trying to jump a barricade.

There had been ongoing protests in the area following the shooting death of Winston Smith.

A trial hearing was held Monday morning at the Hennepin County Government Center. The next trial date is set for Wednesday afternoon.

Stay with 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS and KSTP.com for updates.