The city of Minneapolis announced Monday that someone had been charged in connection with the death of St. Thomas senior Seham Hassen.
Gabryella Marie Liebgott was arrested Friday and charged Monday with two felony counts of criminal vehicular homicide.
“The death of Seham Hassen is a tragic loss. The loss to Seham’s family and loved ones is profound, and we hope this step toward justice provides them with some measure of relief,” police Chief Brian O’Hara wrote in a statement. “I am grateful for the work of our investigators in identifying the person responsible for Seham’s death and bringing her in to face justice.”
Police originally responded to the crash at 3:10 a.m. on March 22 at the 1600 block of Marshall Street NE. Hassen died in the hospital.
A GoFundMe page has raised more than $35,000 for Hassen’s family after her passing.
“She was a loving daughter, a supportive sister, a caring aunt, and a deeply cherished friend. She brought so much joy and warmth into the lives of those around her, and her absence is deeply felt by all who knew and loved her,” the page reads.
A statement from the university showed that Hassen had been pursuing a bachelor’s degree in public health and was going to graduate this May. A quote from her family in that statement called her “a truly beautiful soul.”
“That was who she was at her core – someone who wanted to heal, to serve, and to make a difference for people,” it read.
The police statements cite two witnesses who said Liebgott had been drinking the morning of March 22 and that she knew she had struck a person.
The judge has set a $150,000 bond.
Adam Mueller can be reached at muel7541@stthomas.edu.
