The family of a grandmother who was killed by a hit-and-run driver on Lake Street in Minneapolis late last year is putting up its own money in hopes of finding the person responsible.
Mintrawati Dhannu, 70, was walking in the crosswalk at Lake Street at Blaisdell Avenue after a trip to Kmart on Nov. 22 when she was struck by a white Chevrolet SUV, police said. Dhannu was hospitalized with internal injuries and died two weeks later.
A "witness said that she was dragged quite a bit," said grandson Navin Ramadhar. "The [SUV] sped up after hitting her, went as fast as possible to get out of there."
Dhannu's daughter, Nadia Ramadhar, said the family is offering a $2,000 reward for anyone with information leading to the SUV's driver.
Police Sgt. Brad Simonson said Monday that "this is pretty much a closed case until someone else can come forward."
At one point in the investigation, police had identified a suspect, but "there was not enough information to charge," Simonson said. "We couldn't place [a specific person] behind the wheel ... and we really couldn't make a determination that this vehicle was involved."
Anyone with information about the case can contact the family at 612-824-6180 or 612-327-9872. Police also are receiving information at 612-673-3442 or 612-692-TIPS (8477).
PAUL WALSH
