Snow-clearing Bloomington city worker struck by car dies

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (KMSP) - A Bloomington, Minn. city worker who was struck by a car last week while clearing snow from the road was taken off life support on Saturday and passed away, the city confirmed Monday afternoon.

At about 10 a.m. on Thursday, an SUV came barreling toward a Bloomington Public Works vehicle near American Boulevard and Portland Avenue South. Witnesses say the 24-year-old driver was traveling very fast and didn't appear to notice the city truck until the last second.

According to someone who only wanted to be identified as a person close to a victim, the workers were parked with their hazard lights on and starting to get back in the car. The driver had just buckled his seatbelt while the passenger was still climbing in when there was deadly impact.

Tyler Lenort was taken off life support on Saturday night and Daryl Bittmann is still hospitalized with a broken back and severe head trauma. Bloomington police said they are still investigating the crash and considering charges for the driver.

Bittmann is being treated at Hennepin County Medical Center and has a long road of physical therapy ahead of him. One of his sons, who is currently serving in the Middle East, is heading home on family medical leave to spend time with his dad.