Hit-and-run leaves man dead in Maplewood

MAPLEWOOD, Minn. (FOX 9) - Police are investigating a hit-and-run that left a 31-year-old St. Paul man dead in Maplewood early Friday morning.

Fatal hit-and-run in Maplewood

The backstory:

The incident happened around 4:30 a.m. on the 2300 block of Maryland Avenue East. Officers responded to the scene and located a man in the roadway, who appeared to have been struck by a vehicle. 

Despite lifesaving measures, the man, who has been identified as Abdul Bakr Jafar, 31, of St. Paul, was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity has not yet been released. 

According to police, a witness reported seeing a large conversion van with a ladder rack near the man, and the driver fled the scene before authorities arrived. Investigators obtained the suspected vehicle information and surveillance video from a nearby residence, which reportedly captured the incident.

Suspect arrested in Sleepy Eye

Local perspective:

At around 11 a.m. on Friday, Maplewood police say they arrested a 46-year-old Maplewood man in Sleepy Eye in connection to the hit-and-run that left Jafar dead. 

Police say Jafar, who is from St. Paul, was walking on Maryland Avenue East when he was struck by the driver of a work van. The van in the incident was located with the suspect in Sleepy Eye, police said. 

What you can do:

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Lt. Michael Hoemke at 651-249-2605 or Michael.hoemke@maplewoodmn.gov.