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Tips Lead To Arrest In Minneapolis Fatal Hit-And-Run

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Tips from the public helped lead to an arrest following a hit-and-run that killed a north Minneapolis woman.

Aisha Freels, 37, was killed as she attempted to cross Lyndale Avenue to get into a cab on New Year's Eve. She was heading out to an event with friends. The family is trying to comfort the four children she left behind.

The memorial outside Aisha Freels home on Lyndale Avenue is overflowing. While people drop off stuffed animals and balloons, her family is busy planning a funeral.

"When you start going through picking out caskets just that whole process just brings it all back," Jerryll Freels said.

Jerryll Freels says emotions are high, especially after the Minneapolis Police Department announced the arrest of a person connected to the car involved in the hit-and-run that took his sister's life. The person's name has not been officially released, but the family is familiar with the person now in custody and waiting to be charged.

"We didn't know them, we knew somebody who knew somebody who knew them," Jerryll Freels said.

Minneapolis police say tips to a hotline and CrimeStoppers helped investigators find the car involved. They then questioned a person connected to that car and eventually placed her under arrest.

"Having that closure is huge. It's nothing compared to having my sister back, not at all, but having that closure that's huge," Freels said.

Now the focus is on Aisha's four children, ages 16, 9, 6 and 4.

"They are at my house with my wife, she's taking care of them. She's been a huge support for me and my family, everybody has been a huge support. My sister was loved by so many," Freels said.

Jerryll hopes the community that loved his sister so much comes together to help the children she leaves behind.

"My whole family is thankful for all of the love and support that were getting but these four kids is going to take a village," Freels said.

The Hennepin County attorney has until noon Tuesday to file charges against the woman being held in connection with the hit-and-run accident.

The family has started a fund to help Aisha's four children. Here is how to donate to that fund.

 

 

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