AUSTIN, MN, (May 27, 2026) — A boy sustained life-threatening injuries Wednesday following a hit-and-run crash in Austin, according to local authorities.
Police said Tristen Rodriguez was riding a bicycle in the 1300 block of Fourth Avenue Southeast when he was struck by a Honda Civic allegedly driven by a 17-year-old motorist.
Investigators reported that shortly after the collision, the suspect arrived at the scene on a motor scooter and told officers that he had witnessed the crash and attempted to follow the fleeing vehicle. However, a witness informed authorities that she observed the suspect vehicle, later identified as the juvenile’s car, strike Rodriguez while he was riding his bicycle.
Rodriguez was transported to Saint Mary’s Hospital, where he remains in a medically induced coma and is suffering from brain swelling.
The 17-year-old suspect faces charges of criminal vehicular operation resulting in great bodily harm, leaving the scene of a collision causing great bodily harm, criminal vehicular operation resulting in substantial bodily harm, and leaving the scene of a collision causing substantial bodily harm.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
