Senser family turns over vehicle involved in fatal hit-and-run accident

An attorney for the family of former Minnesota Viking player Joe Senser says the family is cooperating with the State Patrol in its investigation of a hit and run accident that killed a Roseville man last week.

Eric Nelson said the family turned over the vehicle to State Patrol less than 24 hours after the accident, but is not making any statements about who was driving at the time of the accident.

"Pretty much any charge that the government could file at this point, one of the essential elements would have to be who was driving the vehicle." Nelson said. "The government would have to prove who was actually driving the vehicle."

State Patrol spokesman Lt. Eric Roeske says the family has "refused to answer any questions regarding the circumstance surrounding the crash."

Roeske notes the Patrol still is investigating.

"We also are appealing to the public for anyone who knows what happened, or who has knowledge to please call us. I mean somebody knows exactly what happened that night, if not a number of people," Roeske said.

The slain motorist Anousone Phanthavong, 38, had walked down the ramp that leads from westbound Interstate 94 and to Riverside Avenue was apparently filling a car with gas when an oncoming vehicle struck and killed him. The incident took place Tuesday, August 23.

Nelson said he is in contact with the attorney representing Phanthavong's family.