Police Arrest Driver Accused In Hit & Run Of Great-Grandmother
HALIFAX (CBS) - Police say they've arrested a driver who ran down a great-grandmother and drove off earlier this month.
Back on December 2nd, 77-year-old Florence Pelaquin was hit by a station wagon in a convenience store parking lot.
Police say the driver, who they identified Thursday as Douglas Hassam of Pembroke, backed over her by accident, stepped out of his car, looked at her lying on the ground, got back into his car and drove off.
Pelaquin was rushed to a Boston hospital with a severe head injury and a broken leg.
The incident was recorded on the store's surveillance video.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Lana Jones reports
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Police released the video of the driver inside the store Wednesday, hoping someone would recognize him.
They received several calls within an hour, including some from Hassam's relatives.
On Thursday evening, officers arrested Hassam at his home.
"There are already two existing arrest warrants for him. According to the Registry, he does not have a license, nor was he driving a registered or insured car at the time," Halifax Police Sgt. Ted Broderick told WBZ-TV.
WBZ-TV's Alana Gomez reports
As for Pelaquin, she said knowing who hit her brings relief to her family and friends and she's thankful the video brought such quick progress.
"I can't believe it. All of a sudden, to happen so fast."
