Family Of Hit-And-Run Victim Raise Reward Fund

Sun October 07 2007
Posted Oct 7, 2007
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Relatives Want Leads In Case That Left Boone County Man Dead DES MOINES, Iowa -- Family and friends of a rural Boone County man have launched a new effort to find who killed him in a hit-and-run. It happened just before 9 p.m. Aug. 8, two miles north of Woodward on county Road R18. The family of Mark Snopek, 53, hopes a reward will inspire someone to come forward and tell what happened. "He was the kind of guy that gave selflessly of himself and gave and gave and gave and asked nothing in return," said Kevin Griggs, Snopek's former boss, who hired him at the Iowa Department of Transportation. "There was a quietness about him -- a humility, a forthrightness, a directness that made him (someone you wanted) to be around," said Snopek's sister-in-law Jeanie Swaim. Snopek was riding his bicycle on a rural road when a vehicle hit him and took off. Investigators said the car that hit him was a dark color. Griggs said he was shocked that someone so young who had so much going for him and had so much to offer his community could be gone. Snopek worked as wetlands ecologist who inspected projects for environmental impact for the DOT. Griggs said that Snopek was an avid outdoorsman who loved bicycling, canoeing and kayaking. Snopek was riding his bicycle on a rural road when suddenly a car hit him and took off. He had been wearing a reflective vest, helmet and had lights on the bike. Family and friends said that whoever did this needs to be brought to justice. That's why they have started a reward fund. "There may be others out there that may know something and that can help the process," Griggs said. Snopek's survivors include his wife, Kay. They had been married for 28 years. E-mails have gone to neighbors and friends asking for pledges for the reward fund and $5,000 has been collected so far. They hope to reach $10,000.