Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
MIDVALE — A woman wanted for questioning in connection with a fatal hit-and-run crash last week has now been officially named as a suspect.
Mika Lindquist, 31, is believed to have hit and killed Ronald Charles Renfro, 56, while he was crossing 7200 South at 50 West on Thursday before driving away, said Unified Police Sgt. Jared Richardson. Lindquist was allegedly driving an Eclipse reported stolen from Enterprise Rental Car in Salt Lake City on Sept. 11 at the time of the crash.
Lindquist, the person who allegedly rented the car, was listed as a person of interest last week. Now Richardson said detectives believe she was the driver.
"Ms. Lindquist has come forward and is talking with our investigators. At this time, she is cooperating with them and the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office," he said. "For reasons we cannot discuss, Ms. Lindquist has not been booked at this time."
Richardson said detectives have been provided with the keys to the rental vehicle, possibly through Lindquist's attorney, and were in the process of retrieving it Tuesday.
Renfro's daughter, Natasha Villagrana, released a statement Tuesday.
At this time, she is cooperating with them and the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office. For reasons we cannot discuss, Ms. Lindquist has not been booked at this time.
–Unified Police Sgt. Jared Richardson
"My brother and I are saddened at the fact that this woman killed an innocent man (our father), knew that she hit a human being and still chose to drive off, speaks to police and runs again by cutting off all communication, gets to spend time with family while my family is in mourning and then after turning herself in with a confession she was let go — free to be on the streets again," Villagrana wrote.
"So far there has been no justice for my father's death, but I hope they are still trying to bring justice. Accident or not, she made a decision to leave a man in the road to die and she should be punished. If not in this life, then the next one. She seems to have no remorse and I will have none for her," the daughter said.
Court records show an eviction notice was filed against Lindquist in November. Since then, she has been charged 10 times in various justice and district courts for mainly traffic violations, including failing to register her vehicle and speeding. She was charged with drug possession and failing to register her vehicle in 3rd District Court in March. She failed to appear for her preliminary hearing in that case on Sept. 10 and a warrant was issued for her arrest, according to court records.
She was also charged with shoplifting a week ago in Salt Lake City Justice Court, according to court records.
Contributing: Sandra Yi
