Identities disclosed of 2 of 3 pedestrians killed in Twin Cities crashes over weekend

One of the victims was struck by both a car and bus while trying to cross Franklin Avenue in Minneapolis.

The Minnesota Star Tribune
September 30, 2025 at 9:14PM
Steve Phongesawat (With permission from GoFundMe)

Identities were disclosed Tuesday of two of three pedestrians hit and killed by drivers this past weekend in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Steve Phongesawat, 32, of New Hope, was fatally struck by a driver about 12:45 a.m. Saturday along Maryland Avenue near Clarence Street close to Lake Phalen.

The driver stopped and called 911, police said. Officers said Phongesawat was unconscious and not breathing when they arrived. He was pronounced dead at a hospital, according to police.

The driver said he was headed west on Maryland and did not see the pedestrian. Police said the driver cooperated with investigators and was not arrested.

Police said Pang Foua Yang, 36, of St. Paul, died after she was struck about 2:30 p.m. Sunday in the 1000 block of Stinson Street in St. Paul. She was unconscious and not breathing when officers arrived, police said, then pronounced dead at the scene.

Preliminary evidence indicated the vehicle struck Yang before coming to a stop in a backyard. Police said the man driving remained on scene and cooperated with investigators.

In Minneapolis, police said a man died after he was struck by a car and then by a bus about 3 p.m. Saturday as he crossed Franklin Avenue E. at midblock near Cedar Avenue S. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Both drivers remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators, police said. No arrests have been made, and no citations were issued.

As of Tuesday afternoon, neither the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office nor police have provided the Minnesota Star Tribune with the victim’s identity.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety reports that as of August, there had been 25 pedestrian deaths this year.

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Paul Walsh

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Paul Walsh is a general assignment reporter at the Minnesota Star Tribune. He wants your news tips, especially in and near Minnesota.

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Sofia Barnett

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Sofia Barnett is an intern for the Minnesota Star Tribune.

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