A 23-year-old Minnesota woman, Latalia Margalli, has admitted to driving her SUV into a crowd of people, resulting in the death of one person and injuries to five others. The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office confirmed that Margalli pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree unintentional murder and five counts of second-degree assault. The court records show that Margalli entered her plea on Tuesday, with her sentencing scheduled for June 24.
The charges stem from an incident in September 2024, where Margalli was involved in a physical altercation with a group of people, including 16-year-old De’Miaya Broome, who tragically lost her life that night. The incident was captured on camera, which showed Margalli driving her vehicle into the crowd after the fight escalated.
According to the criminal complaint, the incident occurred in the early hours of September 14, 2024. The group involved in the altercation with Margalli included two 14-year-old girls, a 24-year-old man, a 28-year-old man, and a 29-year-old woman. After the confrontation turned physical, Margalli left the scene, only to return in her SUV. Instead of leaving the area, she drove her vehicle into the crowd, hitting several people, including the deceased victim.
The incident was described as “absolutely horrific” by Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara during a press conference. He expressed his sorrow over the senseless loss of a young life over such a tragic event. The five surviving victims sustained injuries ranging from bruises to broken bones, with one victim suffering a head injury.
Hennepin County State Attorney Mary Moriarty expressed her condolences to the family of De’Miaya Broome, who had aspired to become a nurse. Moriarty stated that the guilty plea would pave the way for a lengthy sentence that holds Margalli accountable and protects the community. She added that the tragic incident had not only taken a loved one from her family but also a future nurse from the community.
The Hennepin County State Attorney’s Office is seeking a sentence of 285 months, nearly 24 years, for the second-degree murder charge. They are also seeking consecutive sentences for the assault charges. The sentencing is expected to bring closure to a case that has deeply affected the community.