With the woman he ran over near him in the pond and unconscious, a drenched Justin Linskie got out of his waterlogged car and ran, leaving his victim floating on the surface.

This was the in-an-instant drama that, according to a criminal complaint filed Thursday, unfolded as sunset neared Tuesday on an early fall scenic perch in Duluth.

Linskie, who has not had a valid driver's license in more than 12 years, was charged in St. Louis County District Court with criminal vehicular homicide and remains jailed.

Susan E. Menz, 60, a Duluth grandmother of three with another on the way, died despite the efforts of bystanders and emergency personnel next to Twin Ponds along Skyline Parkway.

Linskie's license has been revoked since June of 2003 since he was caught driving without insurance, according to the state Department of Public Safety. He has been convicted in Minnesota at least seven times since 2002 for driving while his license was revoked or suspended or simply when not having one. He's also been convicted of drunken driving, drug possession and receiving stolen property.

According to the criminal complaint:

Dennis McGrath, Star Tribune
Justin P. Linskie

Linskie left a drug and mental health treatment center about 5:40 p.m., saying he didn't feel well. He was heading to his mother's home in town and driving along Skyline Parkway when he hit Menz shortly after 6 p.m.

Investigators identified Linskie using paperwork left in the car and tracked him down that night. He admitted to being the driver who ran over Menz, authorities said.

PAUL WALSH