2 Pedestrian Struck By Van In Southeast Brooklyn Hit-And-Run
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Police late Friday were searching for a hit-and-run driver who mowed down two pedestrians in southeast Brooklyn.
As CBS2's Valerie Castro reported, witnesses said the driver made no attempt to slow down.
"I really hope they catch him," said witness Paul Bryant.
The driver Bryant was talking about is accused of hitting two people on Flatbush Avenue at Avenue U in Brooklyn, in front of the Kings Plaza shopping center, and driving away.
It happened around 5 p.m. Friday. A 50-year-old woman was reported in critical condition, while a 47-year-old man suffered non-life-threatening injuries, police said.
Bystanders jumped in to help, including a nurse who was shopping at a nearby medical uniform store.
"That nurse? She came and grabbed her bag. The gentleman EMT that came out, he grabbed his bag. And they, literally before the FDNY; the ambulance got here, they were already taking care of the people," Bryant said.
Johnny Santoro was standing nearby and saw the collision.
"They were crossing the street. He wasn't trying to stop. He was going fast, head on -- not slow, but fast. (He) hit the woman first, you know, he hit the bang; you know, the head first," Santoro said.
The driver fled the scene in a gray dollar van with a red stripe on the side and a missing mirror, police said.
The side view mirror was ripped off by the impact of the crash, police said. The mirror is evidence that will help police in their investigation.
Flatbush Avenue is a busy road, but pedestrians often cross in the middle of the street to get to the mall.
"This is very dangerous street, it is," said nearby shop employee Sheikh Hussain.
Other witnesses said drivers often speed.
"These fools? They drive like they're mad people out here," Bryant said.
Bryant, who works nearby, had some harsh words for the driver who left the scene.
"They're a piece of trash," he said.
The man and woman who were struck were both taken to Kings County Hospital Center, police said.