Updated at: 11/06/2009 6:52 PM
By: Renee Passal

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Alleged Hit and Run Driver Charged

Julie Ann Gronski, 27, faces eight charges related to a serious pedestrian hit and run crash.

Court documents said that Gronski was driving on Rice Lake Road, early last Saturday morning. She allegedly hit the victim, Alex Balluff, from behind, and then drove with him on the hood for 30 feet.

Police investigators said that Gronski then swerved, knocking Balluff off the vehicle. Witnesses at the scene told authorities the vehicle then sped off.

Gronski's Honda CR-V was found by a citizen on Sunday, on the 4700 block of East Superior Street.

Traffic investigators matched evidence from the scene, to Gronski and that vehicle.

The criminal complaint said that Gronski was drinking with friends in Hermantown that night. She admitted to some people that she thought she hit a deer. But on Monday, told one friend she may have hit a person.

Gronski went to the police station on Monday, but refused to answer questions. She was arrested on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Balluff remains in critical condition at St. Mary's, where he underwent surgery on Friday. He now has permanent feeding and breathing tubes. The 18-year-old is from Anoka County.

Gronski's attorney said he believes his client will be put on supervised released, instead of having to post bail.

Her next court appearance is November 25.