Updated: Former Alexandria man hit, killed by car in Fargo; driver had been drinking

A former Alexandria man has been identified as the pedestrian who was hit and killed by a car in Fargo early Friday, Sept. 11, and the driver has been charged with vehicular homicide.

Peter McKenney, 39, was struck about 1 a.m. in south Fargo. He was later pronounced dead at a Fargo hospital.

McKenney started attending Alexandria Technical and Community College in 1999 and stayed in the Alexandria area for work, including positions at Cub Foods and D. Michael B's.

"He was a hard worker, showed up, did a good job," said Eric Halverson, assistant kitchen manager at D. Michael B's.

After McKenney's father died, Halverson said McKenney left the restaurant and moved back to his hometown of Wheaton, Minn., before relocating to Fargo in 2018.

“Every time we’d visit, he’d always give me a good hug,” his mother Carloyn McKenney said. “He was friendly with everybody.”

Funeral arrangements for McKenney are pending.

Shanyell Headswift, 32, of Fargo, was arrested after the collision and taken to the Cass County Jail, Fargo police said.

Headswift was charged in Cass County District Court with a felony count of criminal vehicular homicide and a misdemeanor count of hindering law enforcement/giving false information or report to law enforcement.

Fargo Police Sgt. Sam Bollman said it appeared the victim had just visited a grocery store.

According to charging documents:

Officers found Headswift at the scene of the crash behind the wheel of a vehicle. An officer noted a strong odor of alcohol emanating from the vehicle, and Headswift showed signs of impairment, including poor balance and a strong odor of alcohol.

Headswift reported having drank a six pack of beer and a couple of "shooters," court documents state. A blood draw was taken but the results were not included in available court documents.

After initially telling police she was the only occupant of the vehicle, Headswift later told police a man had also been in the vehicle. He apparently left before police arrived, according to court documents.

Court records did not list an attorney for Headswift as of Friday.

Echo Press reporter Jasmine Johnson contributed to this report.

1/2: Shanyell Headswift

2/2: Police blocked off 42nd Street South in Fargo from Ninth Avenue to 11th Avenue early Friday, Sept. 11, after a vehicle hit a pedestrian, who later died at a local hospital. WDAY photo

1/2: Shanyell Headswift

2/2: Police blocked off 42nd Street South in Fargo from Ninth Avenue to 11th Avenue early Friday, Sept. 11, after a vehicle hit a pedestrian, who later died at a local hospital. WDAY photo