Sept. 23: Minneapolis police seek tan SUV in bicyclist’s hit-and-run death

The vehicle that killed a St. Louis Park man as he rode his bike to work this month was a Jeep Grand Cherokee that was made in 1996, 1997 or 1998, Minneapolis police said.

By DAVID CHANEN, Star Tribune

Last update: October 2, 2008 - 2:35 PM

The vehicle that struck and killed a St. Louis Park man as he rode his bike to work this month was a tannish-gold/light brown Jeep Grand Cherokee that was made in 1996, 1997 or 1998, Minneapolis police said at a news conference Monday.

It's the first break in the case involving Jimmy Nisser, 65, who was killed instantly when he was struck by the sport-utility vehicle as he rode to the Minikahda Club at about 4:20 a.m. Sept. 11. His body was dragged about a block.

Paint chips and debris from the scene were analyzed by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said Minneapolis Sgt. Jesse Garcia. The vehicle also has front-end damage.

"The longer this person doesn't turn themselves in, the worse it will get," he said at the news conference, which was held where Nisser was killed. "It was raining hard that night. If the driver would have stopped, they could explain what happened."

Police continue to treat the case as a hit-and-run.

A small memorial has been set up where Nisser died at W. 32nd Street and Excelsior Boulevard, not far from the entrance to the Minikahda Club. A photo of Nisser and his eulogy are taped to an old white bike that is surrounded by flowers.

In an unrelated case, no one has been arrested in a case in which a bicyclist was struck and injured last Wednesday on Lyndale Avenue near Linden Avenue in north Minneapolis.

Rodney Scroggins, 54, of Minneapolis, was riding his bike to work when he was struck about 2 a.m. He suffered a dislocated shoulder, broken bones and other injuries.

Scroggins was in critical condition Monday morning at Hennepin County Medical Center in downtown Minneapolis, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Anyone with information about either case is asked to call Sgt. Bruce Folkens at 612-673-3410 or Sgt. Chris Karakostas at 612-673-3400.

David Chanen • 612-673-4465

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