QUINCY, Mass — Police are turning to the public for help tracking down a vehicle that struck a pedestrian in Quincy before fleeing the scene Tuesday.
The Quincy Police Department released surveillance video of a dark-colored SUV driving down Southern Artey around 6:00 p.m. before it strikes a pedestrian attempting to cross the street. The struck pedestrian, identified as a 53-year-old man, can be seen lifted off their feet and thrown several feet back toward the sidewalk. The car then drives off northbound towards South Street.
The victim was transported to a local hospital to be treated for their serious injuries.
The suspected hit-and-run vehicle is believed to have damage to the passenger side bumper, hood, and windshield, according to police.
“It’s possible the driver just panicked and didn’t know what to do and just fled, if that is the case and the driver is watching this, I ask them to come forward and turn themselves in,” said Captain Daniel Guarente. “It’s horrible, it’s another human being that’s in the street and they just fled the scene. The pedestrian obviously had serious injuries.”
Raymond Mclean was driving right behind the driver who hit the man while he was walking in a crosswalk. Mclean jumped out to try to help and called 911.
“A little distraught, you know just that somebody would leave somebody in agony like that, he was bleeding from his head, it’s just super sad,” said Mclean.
Quincy City Councilor Richard Ash said this area has been a problem for years when it comes to pedestrian accidents. He’s been working on making these roads safer after several crashes over the last few years.
He says they just installed these yellow flashing lights at the crosswalk in October. There’s also a speed tracker right before the crosswalk, plus the speed limit drops down to just 20 miles per hour since this is a senior zone.
“It’s senior living, a lot of walkers, canes, scooters you know wheelchairs whatever and you think people pay attention to the signage slow down everybody will get to where they’re going it’s just unbelievable,” said Ash. “Pray the individual makes a recovery and also pray that the driver comes to their senses.”
Ash says he’ll keep looking into ways to prevent something like this.
“Whether that’s making the time on the light longer, certainly more street lights, more speed signage, and making sure people are obeying the speed limit,” said Ash. “20 mph is the speed limit in front of a crosswalk it really shouldn’t have resulted in this.”
Anyone with any information is urged to contact the Quincy Police Department at (617) 479-1212.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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