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

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

Wednesday in the 3700 block of County Road 45 North, an accident involving a pedestrian occurred, according to the Owatonna Police Department.

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

That same day, police located the vehicle believed to be involved in the crash and its driver, Derek Paul Denelsbeck, 42, of Owatonna.

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

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

“It was five in the morning,” Denelsbeck said during a conversation with an Owatonna police detective. “Who the hell walks on the side of the front road at five in the morning?”

At a court hearing on Friday, the judge set Denelsbek’s bail at $10,000. His next hearing is scheduled for December 23.