By Shawn Hogendorf, Correspondent 

The Dakota County Attorney’s Office amended the criminal charges that were filed on April 25 in connection with the fatal hit and run that killed Carlos Noriega of Prior Lake in the parking lot of the Event Center in Burnsville on April 5.

Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom said the new charges reflect that it is now alleged Armando Velasquez, not Martina Narvaez, was driving the car at the time Noriega was struck and killed.

Armando Velasquez, 19, of Faribault, faces three counts of vehicular homicide alleging gross negligence, negligence under the influence of alcohol and leaving the scene of a personal-injury accident. His bail was set for $75,000 without conditions and $15,000 with conditions. Armando Velasquez next court hearing is set for June 9 at 1:30 p.m. in Hastings.

Narvaez, 36, of Owatonna, who was initially charged with three counts of criminal homicide, is now charged with aiding an offender, a felony, for assisting Armando Velasquez in his attempt to avoid arrest. Her bail was reduced to $75,000 without conditions and $10,000 with conditions. Her next court appearance is June 2 at 1:30 p.m. in Hastings.

Charges against Armando’s brother, Francisco Velazquez, 18, of Faribault, a third person police allege to be involved in the fatal hit and run, remained the same. He is charged with one count of aiding an offender, a felony. His bail remains $75,000 without conditions and $15,000 with conditions. His next court appearance is June 9 at 1:30 p.m. in Hastings.

The amended charges are a result of an ongoing investigation by the Burnsville Police Department, Backstrom said. New statements were obtained from witnesses and one of the suspects identified the driver of the vehicle at the time of the fatal hit and run as Armando Velasquez, he said.

Police continue to look for a fourth man wanted in connection with the crime. It is alleged that the car that struck Noriega was found in the garage of a 23-year-old man who is believed to have left the state and may have fled to Houston.

 Shawn Hogendorf can be reached at (952) 345-6374 or shogendorf@swpub.com.