Minneapolis woman killed by hit-and-run driver walking to anniversary dinner

MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - Authorities have identified the woman who died after being struck by a vehicle on Sunday night.  

Barbara Mahigel, 74, of Minneapolis was struck by a vehicle walking across Nicollet Avenue South at the intersection of 43rd Street around 5 p.m. She was transported to Hennepin County Medical Center where she died from her injuries on Monday.

The person driving the vehicle did not stop and continued to drive northbound on Nicollet Avenue South. Police say information about the vehicle is limited and has only been described as a dark sedan. Nicollet Avenue South and 43rd Street has no painted crosswalk, but is a busy area with restaurants.

The Mahigel family told Fox 9 Barbara and her husband, Lou, were on their way to Revival to celebrate their 52nd wedding anniversary.

Anyone with information is encouraged to text their tip in to 847411 (TIP411).  Enter MPD, a space, and then the information.  These text messages are assigned a tip number and the police department has no way of identifying the source of the information.  All texts are anonymous.  You can also call the MPD TIP Line at 612-692-TIPS (8477). 

Barbara’s son, Mike, wrote this letter hoping the person will come forward.

To Whom It May Concern:

I’d like you to know that if my mother had accidentally struck you with her car on the evening of November 27th, she would have stopped. She would have gotten out of her car and hoped for God’s forgiveness. She would have hurried to your side and would have held your hand as you writhed in pain, and gasped for air while lying helpless on the cold pavement. She would have prayed that you survived without serious injury and that you and your family would remain whole. She would have accepted the consequences of her actions no matter what they were. She would have lived out her years with constant guilt and in constant grief, but she would have lived knowing that she did everything she could to save you and give closure to your family.

I am begging for you to come forward and rectify your mistake. Please accept the chance to give my mother the respect she deserved and her family the closure it so desperately needs.

Mike Mahigel.

Family friend, Paul Anderson, can't believe his friend is gone and in such a heartbreaking manner.

"First thing you think of when you think of Barbara Mahigel? Loving... She loved life, food, friends, dogs." Anderson said. He said if the situation was reverse, Barbara would have been at the person's side doing whatever she could to make it right.