On August 16, 2025, a bicyclist was struck on the Maxwell Avenue bridge over I-494 in Newport and left with life-threatening injuries. According to charging documents summarized by local reporting, the driver—identified as Mark Thomas Tinucci Sr., 70—allegedly exited his vehicle, said “I didn’t see him,” and then left the scene. Prosecutors charged him with criminal vehicular operation and set a first court appearance for October 1, 2025. A spokesperson for Tinucci’s business said it is cooperating with law enforcement; KSTP further reports that a spokesperson described Tinucci as a former owner who now consults for the business.
Court filings cited in the same reporting state deputies arrived around 3:44 p.m.; witnesses said the bicyclist was waved through a crosswalk by a right-lane driver before being struck at speed by a vehicle traveling in the left lane. The victim suffered multiple fractures and a brain bleed and, at the time of filing, reportedly showed no signs of cognitive function.
What Minnesota Law Says About Leaving the Scene & Criminal Vehicular Operation
Minnesota’s criminal vehicular operation (CVO) statute provides that a driver may be charged with CVO resulting in great bodily harm if, among other things, they cause injury and leave the scene in violation of the collisions statute.
Separately, state law requires any driver involved in a collision to immediately stop, reasonably investigate what was struck, and remain to provide legally required information—especially when injury is known or reasonably suspected.
Your Rights and Your Families Rights After a Hit-and-Run Bike Crash in Minnesota
Even when a county brings criminal charges, injured people and families may pursue a separate civil case for compensation, including medical bills, lost wages, future care, and more.
- No-fault (PIP) benefits: Minnesota’s No-Fault Act generally provides economic loss benefits for injuries arising from the use of a motor vehicle, which can apply to bicyclists hit by cars.
- Uninsured and Underinsured coverage: While this may not apply in this case, when it does, if the at-fault driver is uninsured, underinsured, or never identified, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) on your own policy may apply.
- Potential punitive damages: In egregious cases, Minnesota allows punitive damages upon clear and convincing evidence of deliberate disregard for others’ safety. A court must grant permission to add punitive claims.
Every case turns on its facts—how the collision occurred, witness and video evidence, vehicle and scene forensics, medical causation, and insurance layers.
Why People Choose Minnesota Law Firm Pritzker Hageman to Help Injured Cyclists & Their Families
Pritzker Hageman is a nationally recognized plaintiff trial firm with the resources and experience to take on complex catastrophic-injury cases. Our bike-injury team is led by attorneys who are also experienced cyclists, bringing hard-won courtroom skill and real-world cycling knowledge to every case we try. We’ve recovered millions for injured cyclists and families— including seven-figure results and a noted $2.469 million recovery in a Minnesota bicycle-wrongful-death case— and have been honored by U.S. News – Best Law Firms and Minnesota Lawyer’s Attorneys of the Year.
- Deep bicycle-case experience: Our team has a bench of experts experienced in accident reconstruction and knows the trial strategies to use to win cases where drivers claimed they “didn’t see” the cyclist.
- Wrongful-death and catastrophic injury focus: We litigate traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal injuries, and fatal cases arising from motor-vehicle impacts with cyclists.
- Hit-and-run litigation: We advise victims and families on civil claims against drivers and their employers (when applicable) when a hit-and-run is part of the case.
When a crash leaves your loved one unable to speak for themselves, families shoulder urgent medical, legal, and financial decisions—all while police and prosecutors pursue a criminal case. When a family member is hospitalized after a crash, our legal team can start protecting your loved one’s rights immediately.
Contact us for a no-cost consultation with a bike accident attorney
The Pritzker Hageman Law Firm
Call: 612-338-0202
Text: 612-261-0856
What To Do After a Serious Bike Crash (or If a Loved One Was Injured)
- Call 911 and accept medical care. Life-threatening trauma—like brain bleeds and multiple fractures—demands immediate treatment and comprehensive imaging. (As in the Newport case, early findings often guide both care and litigation.)
- Preserve evidence. Keep the bicycle, helmet, lights, clothing, and any cycle computer. Photograph the scene, debris, skid marks, and damage patterns before repairs.
- Identify witnesses & video. Crosswalks, bridges, and ramps (like Maxwell Ave over I-494) may have nearby traffic cameras or private security video; rapid preservation matters.
- Notify your insurer promptly. This protects your access to no-fault (PIP) benefits and potential UM/UIM claims in hit-and-run scenarios.
- Speak with experienced trial counsel early. Catastrophic cases often involve multiple insurance layers, employer liability, and complex crash reconstruction. Our team handles evidence preservation letters, accident reconstruction, downloads from vehicles and bikes, and litigation strategy from day one.
About the Newport Case: What’s Publicly Reported So Far
- Date & location: Saturday, August 16, 2025, Maxwell Avenue bridge over I-494, Newport, Minnesota.
- Injuries reported: Brain bleed, eight broken ribs, and other fractures; initially no signs of cognitive function.
- Allegations: The bicyclist began to cross after being waved through by a stopped right-lane driver; a left-lane vehicle with a “Tinucci’s” marking allegedly failed to stop and struck the cyclist.
- Charges & status: Criminal vehicular operation; first appearance scheduled for October 1, 2025 (charged by summons). A business spokesperson stated cooperation with law enforcement and that Mr. Tinucci is a former owner serving as a consultant. These are allegations; the criminal process will determine guilt or innocence.
Talk to a Minnesota Bicycle-Injury Trial Lawyer
If you or someone you love was injured in a Minnesota bicycle crash—or you’re a family member seeking answers after a hit-and-run—the Pritzker Hageman bicycle accident team is ready to help. We make house and hospital calls.
How Can Our Lawyers Help You?
1-888-377-8900 (Toll-Free) | attorneys@pritzerlaw.com
The Pritzker Hageman law firm and our attorneys have been recognized in:
U.S. News & World Report
Pritzker Hageman has been recognized as one of the best law firms for personal injury litigation by U.S. News & World Report every year the award has been given since 2012.
Super Lawyers®, Thomson Reuters
Attorneys at Pritzker Hageman have been awarded the peer selected Super Lawyers distinction every year since 2004.
America’s Top 100 Attorneys®
Lifetime Achievement selection to America’s Top 100 Attorneys®.
Three Time Attorneys of the Year
Pritzker Hageman lawyers have been named Attorneys Of The Year by Minnesota Lawyer three times.