MINNEAPOLIS -- The wife of a former Minnesota Vikings player told her daughter she had been drinking before she struck and killed a man on an interstate ramp, a Hennepin County prosecutor said.
Assistant Hennepin County Attorney Deborah Russell made the comment Monday during a pre-trial hearing on a charge of criminal vehicular homicide against Amy Senser, the wife of former Vikings tight end Joe Senser.
It was the first time prosecutors have said a family member claimed Amy Senser talked about drinking the night Anousone Phanthavong was killed. Prosecutors have alleged Senser struck and killed Phanthavong on Aug. 23, while he was fueling his stalled vehicle.
Russell did not say anything more about the alleged comment in court, according to area media reports.
The hearing was on a motion by Amy Senser's defense to dismiss the charge, the third brought by prosecutors in connection with the incident, arguing the evidence does not support the charge.
District Judge Daniel Mabley denied the motion to dismiss, The Star Tribune of Minneapolis reported.
Senser was already facing charges that she left the scene of the accident and failed to notify law enforcement as required by law. The third and newest charge alleges gross negligence, claiming Senser was speeding and talking on her cell phone at the time of the incident.
Senser's trial is expected to begin next week.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.