Exclusive: 'It's Been Very Devastating' - Family, Police Seek Help In Christmas Night Hit-And-Run
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Police are asking for the public to help with a surveillance video showing a vehicle believed to be connected to a deadly hit-and-run in Queens on Christmas night.
The video shows a 2007-2011 Silver Toyota Tundra with substantial damage to the front right fender and front right headlight out immediately after the incident near Centerville and Hawtree streets.
Police say the truck struck and killed 67-year-old Ainsley Dalrymple Sr. of Hempstead around 9:30 p.m. while he crossed the street on 114th Street and Rockaway Boulevard in South Ozone Park only moments after celebrating with his family.
NYPD Release Of Hit-And-Run Surveillance Video
The man's grief-stricken daughters and family members continue to beg for help, reports CBS2's Charlie Cooper.
"It's been very devastating," said Sherrice Dalrymple. "The worse part is going to sleep and waking up and realizing what happened to your father and how people are so cruel."
"My father's our rock, so he basically was our protector," said Shonique Dalrymple.
The women shared a pictured Ainsley Dalrymple making Christmas dinner for his family hours before he was ripped away from his four kids and seven grandchildren.
"He was wonderful," said Sherrice. "He was a hands-on dad, grandfather, uncle."
Ainsley and his wife made a pit stop on Rockaway Boulevard, and as he tried to cross the street, a pickup truck slammed into him. His wife heard it happen.
"She's staying to herself a lot," said Shonique. "She's angry, this is not the grandma that the grandkids know."
Police don't have a description of the driver just yet but they're asking for the public's help in identifying the vehicle that could lead to a person for questioning in connection to this fatal accident.
"The only one who can help us solve the case is the community, because I know someone saw something," said Sherrice.
"If anyone knows anything please come forward, please," said Shonique. "The car is out there. There has to be a mechanic - someone that's taken a look at this car - we're just asking you to do the right thing. Please just do the right thing."
It's the only way this family says they'll be able to move forward.
Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74682), logging onto the Crime stoppers website at www.nypdcrimestoppers.com, or by texting tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577.
A memorial fund for Ainsley Dalrymple Sr. has been set up. To donate, visit gofundme.com/f/ainsley-dalrymple-memorial-fund.