Douglas County prosecutors have upgraded the charges against a Superior woman who allegedly was drunk when she fatally struck a friend on a rural county road earlier this month.
Ann Marie Murray, 49, is now facing felony charges of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle - a count carrying a maximum of 25 years in prison - and operating a motor vehicle while revoked, causing the death of another.
Murray struck 40-year-old Eric Madrid of Duluth along County Highway T in the town of Wascott on the night of Aug. 7. Madrid initially was hospitalized and Murray was charged with causing his injuries, but Madrid’s death several days later prompted law enforcement and prosecutors to review the case for more serious charges.
District Attorney Dan Blank previously said the charges would be upgraded only if the investigation found that Murray’s intoxication played a significant role in the collision.
According to authorities, conditions were dark and foggy when Murray hit Madrid, who was walking down the centerline of the roadway about 11:20 p.m.
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Responding deputies found Madrid in the road with severe head trauma and unable to communicate. He was taken to Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth.
Authorities said Murray acknowledged that she struck Madrid, repeatedly stating, “I’m sorry, but there’s nothing I could do.” Murray claimed she had three beers that evening, but failed field sobriety tests, according to the criminal complaint. A preliminary breath test registered a 0.122 blood-alcohol level, above the 0.08 legal limit.
Madrid was removed from life support on Aug. 10, according to court documents. Dr. A. Quinn Strobl of the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the death “accidental,” citing “multiple blunt force injuries due to pedestrian-motor vehicle collision.”
Amber Tilsen, who lived with Madrid, told the News Tribune last week that Murray and Madrid were longtime friends who were among a group spending the weekend at a nearby cabin.
Authorities have said they were looking into the events leading up to the crash, but have not released any detailed information about why Madrid was walking in the road.
Tilsen, calling the incident a “freak accident,” said Madrid had a habit of going for walks, especially when he became upset.
Murray had two prior operating while intoxicated convictions in Wisconsin. At the time of the crash, authorities said, she was in possession of a valid Minnesota license, but her Wisconsin driving privileges were revoked.
Murray, who posted a $1,000 cash bond last week, made an appearance Wednesday in Douglas County Circuit Court. A preliminary hearing on the revised charges is scheduled for Sept. 2.
