St. Paul restaurant worker struck by hit-and-run driver near death

Chances of survival are dim for a St. Paul restaurant employee who was run over and injured on his bicycle late at night by a driver who fled the scene, the victim's family said Monday.

Authorities remained on the lookout for the SUV's driver, who went through a red light in downtown at W. 7th Street and Grand Avenue about 12:10 a.m. Sunday and hit the cyclist.

The family confirmed Monday that the bicyclist is Jose Hernandez, 52, who worked at Brasa Rotisserie, and added that the family was bracing for his death.

Police said in a statement Sunday that the victim was left "unconscious, unresponsive and suffering from grave injuries" in a lane of traffic on W. 7th before he was taken by Fire Department paramedics to Regions Hospital.

Relative Kyle Chamblin described Hernandez in a Facebook posting as "a very compassionate, loving and caring man."

Chamblin added that Hernandez's head and spinal injuries are so severe that "the doctors cannot save him" and the family will soon "have to give Jose back to God."

Chamblin said that he and other loved ones are "broken right now. ... Please, everyone, bring justice for Jose. He didn't deserve to be left in the street to die like that."

His restaurant co-workers established a GoFundMe page to raise $5,000 for medical and possibly funeral expenses.

Hernandez had finished his shift at the restaurant on Grand between Avon and Grotto streets and left on his bike, the restaurant's posting continued. The crash occurred about 1¼ miles to the east at the well-traveled intersection.

The restaurant also made a plea for anyone who witnessed the collision or has access to security footage from the area to contact police.

Police say they are looking for the driver of a tan or beige SUV and the vehicle, which likely has front-end damage. The SUV fled west on W. 7th, said police spokesman Steve Linders.

Anyone with information about the vehicle or driver is asked to call police at 651-291-1111.