Chelsea Police Searching For Van That Fled After Hitting Elderly Woman In Crosswalk

CHELSEA (CBS) -- Police are searching for a white minivan that hit an elderly woman in a crosswalk and fled the scene.

Police say a 72-year-old woman was hit by a white minivan Friday morning at the intersection of 4th Street and Broadway. Police are now searching for the van that drove away from the accident.

Surveillance video taken from the scene shows the woman flipping onto her back when she was hit. She was conscious and alert when someone came to her aid.

A witness says the minivan initially stopped at the intersection of Fourth and Broadway and the woman tried to make sure the driver saw her.

"The car was at the stop sign. She was banging on the car and I guess the car wasn't paying attention and he hit her," according to the witness.

The woman, whom police have not identified, was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, including cuts and bruises to her face.

"That's just tragic, there's really no reason for that to happen," said area resident April Wright. "There's clearly a stop sign, but people just don't obey it ... they're supposed to stop there for the people to walk, they don't. They' don't pay attention. People just speed by, it's terrible."

Residents who live in the area told WBZ-TV's Paul Burton the busy intersection can be dangerous.

"You have to actually walk almost into the middle of the street, stop, so that the cars will stop," said Chelsea resident Shari Menjivar.

Chelsea Police Chief Brian Kyes tweeted the van appears to be missing a right front hubcap, or be using a spare tire. The van also had a paper sign in the rear window, according to police.

Police are checking security footage in hopes of tracking down the car, and asking anyone with information identifying the van or driver to contact them.

In:
• Katie Brace
• Chelsea
• Hit-and-Run