INDIANAPOLIS —IMPD is looking for the driver of a gray SUV who struck a 10-year-old Wednesday night and didn’t stop.
A witness told WRTV the child was with family members as they were walking to the gas station.
“It just hurt me. It made me want to cry,” Bobby Wells said.
Wells called 911 after witnessing the crash, that occurred on English Avenue and Pleasant Run Parkway.
“I had just come from the gas station. I was sitting here and heard a car skid. Then, I saw something flying in the air,” Wells said. “I thought it was a bumper. When I got up, I saw the kid flying and hitting the ground. The car just kept going.”
IMPD says the child was taken to the hospital in stable condition.
“I just wish the person would’ve stopped. I know in the heat of the moment you do things, but it’s a child. Just think if it was your child, you would want someone to stop,” Wells said.
Residents say drivers speed through the area every day.
“They come through here all the time and hit the curb. They don’t even slow down,” John Montgomery said.
Montgomery rides his scooter on the sidewalk to get to and from home. He asks drivers to please slow down in the area.
Wells says he does not want this situation to happen to anyone else.
“I’ve got grandkids and kids. To see this young kid makes me think of them. People cross through here all the time at night. We need a crosswalk or something,” Wells said.
The Department of Public Works says the crosswalk at the intersection can be used but says the area is part of a pedestrian crash focus group that will see safety improvements, such as warning and flashing signs next year.
WRTV reached out to City-County Councilor Jason Larrison, who represents the area where the child was hit.
He issued the following statement:
My heart goes out to the minor who was struck by a car yesterday, and I will be thinking of them as they recover. I am frustrated the driver decided to flee the scene instead of helping the young victim and calling 911. I have been in contact with IMPD, and they are actively investigating the incident. I urge any witnesses or anyone with information regarding what happened to reach out anonymously to Crime Stoppers to ensure that they can apprehend the responsible driver and get justice for this victim and their family.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477 (TIPS).
