Man Accused Of Intentionally Striking Pedestrian Now Faces Murder Charge
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A 20-year-old Minneapolis man now faces a second-degree murder charge after the pedestrian he allegedly intentionally struck with his car died Monday evening, according to the Hennepin County Attorney's Office.
On Monday afternoon, Tristen Baier was charged with attempted second-degree murder and first-degree assault for striking 37-year-old Roberto Bernabe Cortez in south Minneapolis Saturday.
Because Cortez died later Monday evening, Baier is scheduled to make his first court appearance Tuesday afternoon on the new second-degree murder charge.
Baier is accused of smashing car windows near the area of 28th Street East and Portland Avenue South. When the witness chased after Baier, he allegedly climbed into a van and tried to hit the witness, who jumped out of the way. His van collided with a parked vehicle, but he continued to drive the van south on Portland Avenue.
According to the criminal complaint, more people came out to look at the damaged vehicle and three minutes later Baier returned with the van and drove right at the pedestrians. That's when Cortez was struck and critically injured. Baier crashed into two cars, too.
The initial witness and the other pedestrians grabbed him when he got out of his van, the complaint said.
Baier allegedly told police that he was angry at his ex-girlfriend, so he smashed her car windows with a bat. He said he was still angry when he was chased away, so he drove around the block and drove at the victim.
If convicted, Baier could face up to 40 years in prison on the murder charge.
