Friends, family of hit-and-run victim urge driver to come forward

Family and friends of 52-year-old Jose Hernandez Solano publicly called on the driver who fatally hit the St. Paul resident to come forward. Police say Hernandez Solano was riding his bike when a vehicle struck him at the corner of Grand Avenue and West 7th Street on the edge of the city's downtown on Nov. 26.

He died this week.

Hernandez Solano was hit just after midnight, shortly after leaving his job at the Brasa Premium Rotisserie restaurant on Grand Avenue. Police say a camera showed the vehicle slowed for a few seconds and then took off westbound on West 7th Street.

Speaking through a police interpreter, Jose Adrian Hernandez said he wants justice for his father.

"This person not just took my dad's life but he also ... changed the lives of me and my family. From my mom, he took a husband and from my aunts and uncles, he took a brother," he said.

Co-worker David Fernandez said Hernandez Salano always wore a helmet and safety lights and rode with caution. He urged the driver or anyone who knows the driver to do the right thing.

"Please if you, the driver, or the passenger or if you're a friend of the person who did (this), please call police," Fernandez said.

Megan Gall, general manager at Brasa Rotisserie, said the family won't have closure until the driver who killed Hernandez Solano is found. She said that's best for the driver, too.

"Accidents happen. I get (it that) you panic. Things happens. But at this point, you don't want to live the rest of your life with this guilt either," Gall said.

Police have been reviewing debris at the accident scene and recordings from nearby video cameras. They're looking for a 2008 to 2010 Hyundai Sante Fe. It has platinum sage metallic paint that can appear to be silver, gray, tan and even green.

St. Paul police Sgt. Julie Sam said anyone who sees a damaged vehicle matching that description should contact authorities. The vehicle would have front-end damage and its passenger side mirror came off during the crash.

Sam also hopes people will notify police about such vehicles that have gone missing.

"People who don't see their neighbor's car anymore. People who had a co-worker who had that car and is now missing. Those are the tips I need because there's a reason why that car is no longer out where people can see it," Sam said.

The tip line phone number is 800-222-8477. Tips can be left anonymously.