Man killed, woman injured in Brooklyn hit-and-run
BROOKLYN, New York (WABC) -- A man was killed and a woman hurt after they were struck by a hit-and-run driver while crossing a street in Brooklyn.
Both were brought to Kings County Hospital where the man died from severe head trauma and internal injuries and the woman is now in critical.
Around 5 p.m. Friday, the 47-year-old man and the 50-year-old woman were crossing at Avenue U and Flatbush Avenue when they were struck by van that left scene.
Police said they were trying to get to the other side of Flatbush Avenue mid-block by the Kings Plaza Mall. They were running against the light and not in a crosswalk when a gray van with a red stripe barreled into them with such force, it left its side mirror behind, as it kept on going.
The vehicle turned west onto Avenue V.
Friday night, crash investigators from the NYPD were investigating. On Saturday, police released a picture of the van that they are looking for in connection with the incident.
The vehicle is possibly a grey Ford Omnibus (dollar van).
"All of a sudden we heard someone say, 'Oh!'" said Paul Bryant, an eyewitness. "Oh my God, people laying in the street we all ran outside to see what was going on," Bryant said.
The driver plowed into them. "Pretty loud a big boom, boom, and that's what made me turn around, I jumped," said Marcus James, an eyewitness.
"The lady was sprawled out, blood gushing out from her all over the place," Bryant said.
"It's terrible. I had to turn my head around," said Johnny Santora, an eyewitness.
About a half dozen Good Samaritans, including a nurse and an off-duty firefighter, rushed to help the victims before rescuers could arrive. The driver who hit them rushed away.
"It's horrible for you to hit someone and drive off like it's nothing. It's really sad. Hope they find their heart to do the right thing and come forward, come clean," said Obed Burgess, an eyewitness.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to call 800-577-TIPS or for Spanish 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).
