Family of Belle Plaine hit-and-run victim offers $5000 reward

BELLE PLAINE, Minn. (KMSP) - While investigators look for the driver in a Belle Plaine hit and run, the victim's family is offering a reward for information leading to an arrest.

The circumstances surrounding the death of 29-year-old Derek Fath are a bit uncertain.

“We are hurting and desperately want to know what happened to our son,” said Jim Fath, Derek’s father.

Derek was the father to his two-year-old son Tucker. His family describes him as loving  giving and happy.

“Derek was a very friendly, outgoing person, who always had a smile on his face. Anyone that talked to him for more than just a few minutes, loved him,” said Lt. Heath Dienger of the Minnesota State Patrol.

Investigators know on August 14 between 4:30 a.m. and 5:10 a.m., Derek was walking along Highway 169 near Belle Plaine Trail.

“Derek had been at a party and it was not unusual for him to walk home,” said Fath.

A driver heading northbound hit him, but instead of stopping to help, simply drove away.

“Derek was a loving father and son, who didn't deserve to be left on the side of the road to die,” said Fath.

Now investigators are looking for a 2010 to 2012 Ford Fusion or Mercury Milan. It likely has damage and may have been to a body shop.

Meanwhile, family members are offering a $5000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction of the person responsible for killing Derek.  

“We will never have closure when it comes to the pain and the hurt we are feeling,” said Fath. “But getting answers will go a long way in helping us to move on from this nightmare we are living.”

Anyone with information is asked to give the Minnesota State Patrol a call.