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Family asks for help finding hit-and-run driver who killed John Bidon

The 83-year-old was found unconscious near the intersection of Arlington Avenue and Mcafee Street in St. Paul on Oct. 19 and later died in the hospital.

ST PAUL, Minn. — Weeks after a man was struck and killed near a St. Paul intersection, police are asking the public for help to identify a possible suspect. 

According to a post on social media from St. Paul police, 83-year-old John Bidon was found near the intersection of Arlington Avenue and Mcafee Street in St. Paul's East Phalen neighborhood on the evening of Oct. 19. Officers were called to the area just after 7:30 p.m. after a driver found a man lying in the street unconscious. 

The man, later identified as Bidon, was taken to Regions Hospital where he later died. 

Police said Bidon lived near the intersection. According to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner, he died from injuries sustained from being struck by a vehicle. 

"Saint Paul, we need your help bringing justice to this case for John’s family," police wrote in the post. 

Bidon’s family said he lived a full life but still had more good years in him. For years, he would run miles on Lake Phalen. At 83 he was slowing down but in his prime, he would do a mile backwards.

“To work different muscles,” laughed his son, Mike Bidon. 

Bidon says his dad’s lawn was always perfect as he spent hours working on it. John Bidon took so much time partly because he was a hard worker, and partly because he stopped to chat with friends in the neighborhood.

“Because he was outside, and because everyone goes up and down Arlington, everyone knew him,” said John's other son, Patrick Bidon. 

Mike and Patrick said their father always coached their sports teams when they were kids and made sure all of their friends were taken care of. Whenever the boys had someone over at the house, their handy father would check on their cars. 

Patrick and Mike are asking the public for help. 

“Somebody must have some damage on their vehicles,” said Patrick. “Whether it’s a duct-taped hood, whether it’s a dent from an arm or an elbow, or a bloodstained bumper. If you have any information, please reach out."

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call Sergeant Neubrand at 651-266-5722.

A GoFundMe started by a family friend is raising money for a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person involved in the hit-and-run. Find a link to the fund here.

“John was my father in law for 35 years, and we'd like to get some answers and get closure,” added his daughter-in-law Jayne Bidon.

Jayne and her husband Mike said John left them with a legacy, including following in John’s footsteps as a runner. 

“He had a big heart,” said Mike.

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