A 4-year-old boy was hospitalized Monday after a motorist struck him and then fled the scene in St. Paul’s North End.

The child was crossing Klainert Street with an adult around 8:30 p.m. when a minivan started heading toward them, according to legal documents filed in Ramsey County District Court.

The adult, who later spoke to police, said she shouted at the driver several times to stop but he continued without slowing, court documents say.

The minivan ended up striking the child, prompting the driver to exit his vehicle briefly before climbing back in and fleeing the scene, according to the adult’s report to police.

Dennis Charles Blakey, 36, of St. Paul was charged Wednesday with two counts of criminal vehicular operation for his alleged involvement in the collision, according to the criminal complaint filed against him.

One of the counts alleges Blakey was under the influence of alcohol at the time. The second accuses him of fleeing the scene.

When police responded to the crash in the 1400 block of Klainert Street, they arrived as the boy was being loaded into an ambulance. He was taken to Regions Hospital, where he was diagnosed with a fractured left collarbone.

Police were led to Blakey after someone who witnessed the crash reported being at a Memorial Day party with Blakey at his residence. The witness noticed Blakey getting into his minivan, court documents say.

Then the witness heard the crash and ran down the street. The witness told police that Blakey briefly get out of his vehicle. When the person asked Blakey what had happened, Blakey said a “kid just ran out into the street,” the complaint said.

When interviewed by police, Blakey said he had been drinking for hours at a gathering with family and friends that day. He denied being involved in a pedestrian collision but said his vehicle had been briefly stolen during the party, legal documents say. He also refused to perform field sobriety tests. Related Articles St. Cloud bicyclist killed by hit-and-run driver, State Patrol says

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Blakey reportedly had slurred speech and trouble keeping his balance during his initial contact with police, the complaint said.

His criminal record includes convictions for a DWI in 2015 as well as two convictions for refusing to submit to breath or chemical tests.

No attorney was listed for him in court records.