MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A family is mourning a St. Paul man who was hit and killed while enjoying a morning walk Friday.
<p>Brian Reed, 55, was the victim of a hit-and-run crash near Valleyside Drive and Parkland Court.</p> <p>Reed's sister, Jennifer Reynolds, says Reed had schizophrenia and that living with mental illness was a challenge he met with great dignity.</p> <p>He went for walks every day.</p> <p>"We spent a lot of money just buying shoes because he wore out his shoes all the time," Reynolds said.</p> <p>On Friday, a couple of blocks away from Reed, St. Paul police say a man wanted on multiple felony warrants struggled with officers who were trying to get him in custody.</p> <p>They say the suspect got away and stole a running car, then crashed, hitting Reed.</p> <p>Reed died at the scene.</p> <p>"They hit and killed one of the most loving and gentle humans," Reynolds said. "We believe that he's a hero because he took one for all of us. Who knows who this person could've hurt if he didn't hit my brother Brian?"</p> <p>Reynolds says Reed loved fishing, swimming and motorcycles.</p> <p>Without children of his own, Reed took great joy in loving his nieces and nephew.</p> <p>"Always just wanting to give, give, give," Reynolds said. "Any bit of attention and love we had back for him, he soared."</p> <p>Neighbors too will miss Brian's presence on his regular walks.</p> <p>"It's very sad," said Mubarak Kadir. "I'm actually motivated by the way he exercised, morning and evening. It's very sad honestly. He's someone I see almost daily."</p> <p>Reynolds says the best way for people to memorialize Brian is to contact and be aware of the advocacy group, the National Alliance on Mental Illness.</p> <p>Police are still looking for the person responsible for the crash. If you have any information you are asked to call Crimestoppers.</p> <!-- tags -->
