Robbinsdale police investigating hit-and-run that left cyclist with serious injuries

Robbinsdale police are looking for the driver in a suspected hit-and-run involving a cyclist who was seriously hurt.

It happened on Feb. 1 right next to Crystal Lake, near Shoreline Drive and Chowen Avenue North.

Sixty-eight-year-old Walter Piekarcyzk is in the hospital with a neck brace after he said he was hit by a vehicle while riding his bike.

"You just never think you’re going to be part of something like that happening," Patty McGerr, Piekarcyzk’s sister, said. "He had been riding his bicycle, he was going up into Robbinsdale and was hit from behind."

McGerr said her brother has already had surgery after suffering several broken ribs, a fractured leg and broken vertebrae.

"All of his injuries are on his left side because that’s where the mirror of the vehicle impacted him," McGerr said.

Police said they don’t have any suspects yet, but based on vehicle parts left at the scene, they believe the driver was in a 2004-2008 Ford F-150.

McGerr stressed that her brother was doing everything he should’ve been.

"He wears a reflective vest, he had on a light-colored coat, he has lights on the front and back of his bicycle," McGerr said.

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Doctors are hopeful Piekarcyzk can leave the hospital next week, but family have been told his recovery is far from over.

"He’s going to have to wear a supportive brace for several months," McGerr said.

Police are now asking anyone who lives nearby to check security footage from around 8 o’clock the night of Feb. 1 for any possible leads in the case.

"It’s very frustrating and makes us all really sad," McGerr said.

While Piekarcyzk’s family is unsure if the driver even knows what happened, they hope they get the answers they deserve.

"He is OK, it could have been a lot worse. Yes, he does have injuries but we just want he or she to be responsible and do the right thing," McGerr said.

Anyone who knows anything about this case is asked to give Robbinsdale Police a call at 763-537-4534.