Watch CBS News

Cyclist In Critical Condition After Hit & Run In Dakota County

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Investigators hope the public can help them find the driver of a pickup truck who hit an Eagan cyclist and drove off.

Bryan Joas, 45, is in critical condition after he was struck on a rural Dakota County road.

"He left work early to go and enjoy the spring weather," Bryan's wife, Shauna Joas, said.

She says her husband was taking the slow route home from work Tuesday, a route he rides often.

"He's such a smart biker and he always, you know, if he says he's going to be out for two hours, he's going to ride this many miles -- he does that and he's home," Shauna said. "He knows his routes, he doesn't take the busy routes."

Shauna says Bryan is never later coming home.

"When I got done with dinner and saw that it was dark and he wasn't home yet," she said.

She knew something was wrong.

"My kids answered the door when the cops came to the door," Shauna said.

She learned quickly her husband was in a serious accident. Investigators say Bryan was hit from behind by a white pickup truck on 250th Street West near Highview Avenue in Eureka Township. The truck kept going.

Site Of Bryan Joas Hit And Run
Site of Bryan Joas hit-and-run (credit: CBS)

Several passerbys stopped to help Bryan until emergency crews flew him to North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale.

"I saw him as he was being wheeled into surgery," Shauna said. "They took out two thirds of his large intestine, and there is still some sepsis and they can't find the source, so they're going in again."

She says her husband's kidneys are not functioning, and he has multiple fractures in his back and pelvis.

"He's still really critical. They said he's a little bit worse than yesterday," Shauna said.

Shauna And Bryan Joas
Shauna And Bryan Joas (credit: CBS)

She remains at the hospital with Bryan while investigators search for the truck and its driver.

"I hope the person who did this comes forward," Shauna said.

Investigators are looking for a white pickup truck with large tires and red highlights. It should have front-end damage.

Anyone who knows more about this case is urged to call the Dakota County Sheriff's Office at 651-438-4729. A $1,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to the identification of the driver and the truck.

Click here to visit Bryan's CaringBridge page.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.