Former Minnesota Vikings player Joe Senser and his family are being investigated for a deadly hit and run crash that resulted in the death of a 38-year-old chef on August 23, 2011.
The accident occurred on the off-ramp from westbound Interstate 94 to Riverside Avenue in Minneapolis.
Twenty-four hours after the accident, an attorney representing the former NFL athlete notified the Minnesota State Patrol that the Senser family wanted to turn over their 2009 Mercedes-Benz SUV. A trooper went to 416 John Street in Edina, where Senser lives with his wife and children.
According to the search warrant affidavit filed Wednesday in Hennepin County District Court: “The trooper noted that the vehicle had damage to the front passenger side, including the fender. What appeared to be a blood-like substance was also observed on the vehicle’s hood.”
Items discovered inside the car were a bobby pin, a set of earrings, a “Mike’s” bottle cap and a toothpick.
At this point the Sensor family will not say who was driving. Joe has four daughters who all use his vehicles. Their lawyer said, “The Senser family recognizes the tragedy in this situation and they are attempting to cope with that tragedy to the best of their ability without jeopardizing their legal rights.”
The deceased man has been identified as Anousone Phanthavong, of Roseville, Minnesota. He was the head cook at True Thai restaurant and reportedly pulled his vehicle over to fill the tank with gas at 11:00 p.m., presumably from a container that he carried in the vehicle, when he was struck and killed.
A Senser family member has admitted driving the SUV – details, photos, video.
Joe played tight end for the Minnesota Vikings from 1979 to 1985. He is best known as part owner of Joe Senser’s Restaurant & Sports Theater’s at four Twin Cities locations.
Check out a video report below: