Officials identify bicyclist allegedly hit by SUV driven by co-owner of popular deli Tinucci’s

Officials on Monday identified the bicyclist who was allegedly hit by an SUV being driven by the co-owner of a well-known Twin Cities restaurant who’s charged with a hit-and-run offense.

Carl Lawrence Haydel Jr., 59, of Woodbury, was struck on Aug. 16 in Newport on the Maxwell Avenue overpass above Interstate 494 in Newport, according to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

Haydel was riding an e-bike, powered either by electricity or pedaling, when he was hit, the Sheriff’s Office disclosed.

Mark Thomas Tinucci Sr., 70, of Cottage Grove, was charged Thursday in Washington County District Court with criminal vehicular operation in connection with the crash. Tinucci was charged by summons and is due in court on Oct. 1. Court records do not list an attorney for him.

“We are aware of the allegations involving Mark Tinucci Sr. that were made public today,” a family spokesperson said in a statement Friday afternoon. “We cannot comment on specifics at this time, as this is an ongoing legal matter. We are cooperating fully with law enforcement as they investigate what happened.

“We recognize the seriousness of this situation, and our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected, especially the individual who was injured and their family.”

Court records show that Tinucci’s driving history in Minnesota includes two convictions for drunken driving.

According to the complaint:

Deputies responded about 3:45 p.m. to a report of a crash and saw the bicyclist with significant injuries. Haydel was taken by emergency medical responders to a hospital, where he was suffering from bleeding on the brain, upper-body fractures and a tear in the carotid artery.

Witnesses told police the bicyclist was crossing the road in a crosswalk when a driver in the right lane of Maxwell waved him across. However, Tinucci was in the left and struck the bicyclist “at a significant rate of speed.”

The witnesses described the vehicle and noted that it had a “Tinucci’s” sticker on one side. They said the driver stopped, got out of the SUV and walked over to the bleeding bicyclist on the ground.

“I didn’t’ see him,” Tinucci was quoted as saying before he got back in his SUV and left.

Tinucci told officers he did not see the bicyclist, checked on him, “then panicked and left to attend a catering job.” He said he was sorry and knew it was wrong to drive away.

“It should be noted,” the complaint read, “that at no time in the 30-40 minutes between striking the [bicyclist] and returning to speak with officers at their directive did [Tinucci] contact law enforcement or first responders in any way.”