Three days after Bryan Joas was left for dead on the side of the road as he biked home from work in Dakota County, he survived his second lifesaving surgery on Friday. Meanwhile, investigators are still trying to track down the ­vehicle that hit him.

According to a CaringBridge page from the family, a surgeon at North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale was able to remove a damaged part of his lower digestive tract. While Joas remains in critical condition, the doctor is "guardedly optimistic," according to a page update from Joas' wife, Shauna Joas, under the headline, "We Got Our Miracle."

Joas, 45, of Eagan was found around 7:45 p.m. Tuesday after being hit by a vehicle traveling east on 250th Street W. at Highview Avenue in Eureka Township. He was flown by helicopter to North Memorial. The crash left him with a broken pelvis, ribs, and bones in his legs and lower back.

The Dakota County ­Sheriff's Office is still investigating, currently following tips as they bring pieces of glass found at the scene to auto-repair shops to try to find the vehicle. They are offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to identification of the driver or the vehicle.

"We may just have to get lucky," said Chief Deputy Joe Leko.

Originally, deputies were looking for a white pickup, but Leko said they still don't know whether the vehicle actually matches that description. He asks that tipsters pay attention to frontal damage on all sorts of vehicles. Recovered evidence was mostly pieces of glass that may have come from a broken headlight.

Leko said the search would continue as long as it takes. "We have a victim who's in very serious condition right now and we need to find answers."

Anyone with information can call 651-438-4729 to leave tips. Over the weekend, Leko said tips can be called in to 911.

Ben Farniok is a University of Minnesota student on assignment for the Star Tribune.