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Family Of Vet Hurt In Hit-And-Run Offers Reward For Info

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – The family of an Iraq veteran who was injured in a hit-and-run crash in October is offering a $3,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person responsible, the Minnesota State Patrol said.

Twenty-nine-year-old John Byro, of Madelia, suffered serious injuries on Oct. 27, when his motorcycle collided with an unknown vehicle at the intersection of Highway 19 and Highway 5 near Gaylord, Minn. Byro got help only when a driver found him lying in the middle of the road, authorities said.

The unknown vehicle, which fled the scene of the collision, is believed to be a light-colored passenger vehicle or SUV with damage to the rear. Byro is in critical condition, authorities said.

Byro's sister, Amy Byro, keeps her brother's dog tags close as he fights his toughest battle yet.

"That's not how a military member should go," she said. "He deserves more respect than that."

John, a former Marine, completed two tours of duty in Iraq, and he is currently in his third year of college at Metropolitan State University, where he is studying law enforcement.

Doctors said that John will likely spend the next 7 to 10 days in intensive care.

"To see him in the hospital with so many tubes in him and not able to talk, it just breaks my heart," Amy Byro said.

If you have information about the suspect or the vehicle, call the Minnesota State Patrol at 507-389-1172.

UPDATE: The family of John Byro has increased the reward from $3,000 to $5,000 hoping someone will come forward and help resolve the case.

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