Woman dead, husband critical after NYC hit and run, driver fled on foot

Wednesday, February 17, 2021

1 dead, another critical after hit and run on Staten Island

Naveen Dhaliwal reports on the fatal hit and run in Graniteville.

GRANITEVILLE, Staten Island (WABC) -- A 68-year-old woman was killed and her husband left gravely injured by a speeding driver who slammed into their car on Staten Island Tuesday night and then fled on foot, according to the NYPD.

Police say the driver of a 2020 Honda Accord blew through a stop sign at a high rate of speed and T-boned a Mercedes at Lamberts Lane and Elson Street in the Graniteville section around 6:20 p.m.

Kauser Akhund, a passenger in the Mercedes, was pronounced dead at Richmond University Medical Center.

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Her 70-year-old husband, who was driving, remains in critical condition with severe head trauma and bleeding on the brain.

The driver of the Honda fled on foot.

Police say a 19-year-old who claimed his Honda Accord was involved in the crash showed up at the 121st Precinct Wednesday morning and claimed that someone had stolen the vehicle.

As police began talking to him, he suddenly ran out of the precinct.

Authorities said the 19-year-old was located an at area hospital later Wednesday afternoon. He was undergoing an evaluation for an unknown condition.

No charges have been filed and the investigation continues into his possible connection with the Honda that caused the crash.

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