Man arrested in Bloomington hit-and-run that critically injured 19-year-old

A Coon Rapids man has been jailed after a midday hit-and-run Tuesday near a Bloomington intersection that left the 19-year-old victim critically injured.

The 28-year-old was arrested just after midnight Wednesday and was booked into jail on suspicion of felony assault. Bloomington police say he knew the injured man and planned to meet him in the area where the hit-and-run occurred.

Although police released his name, the Star Tribune generally does not name suspects before they are charged.

The man who was struck, from Richfield, was in critical condition Wednesday at Hennepin County Medical Center with injuries to his head and elsewhere, said Deputy Police Chief Mike Hartley. Police are declining to release the man's identity, citing the ongoing investigation.

Police said officers were dispatched about 1 p.m. to the area near 79 ½ Street and Stevens Avenue S. "regarding a subject lying unconscious in the street."

The location is just southeast of Interstate 494 and Nicollet Avenue, a bustling area with hotels, retail outlets and also a public park and several blocks of single-family homes.

The officers saw the man had "significant injuries to his head and lower body," the statement continued, that appeared to be "consistent with being hit by a car."

Anyone with information about the suspected hit-and-run crash is encouraged to call police at 952-563-4900.