Search On For Hit-And-Run Driver Who Struck Woman With Walker In The Bronx
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Police late Tuesday were searching for a driver who hit a woman with a walker as she tried to cross a busy Bronx road, and sped off afterward.
As CBS2's Hazel Sanchez reported, the driver was caught on camera running the woman down – leaving her crying in pain right in the middle of the lanes on Williamsbridge Road.
Madeline Bengochea, 47, was crossing Williamsbridge Road near Waring Avenue in the Allerton section of the Bronx at around 10:30 p.m. Monday, when she was hit from behind by an older model white sedan right as she crossed over the median, CBS2's Magdalena Doris reported.
Tania Duran witnessed the aftermath from her front door.
"I heard her crying of the pain," Duran said.
Witnesses said the accident happened just after 8 p.m. Surveillance video showed Bengochea pushing her walker filled with grocery bags along Williamsbridge Road. She turns mid-block to cross the street and then stops at the double line to wait for traffic to pass.
At that point, the white car approaches and clips Bengochea from behind, scattering her belongings all over the street.
Witnesses ran to help her.
"She was talking," Duran said. "She was asking one of the people to get her family."
Susan Shapiro said the accident comes as no surprise to her, and to many others familiar with Williamsbridge Road. Shapiro called the road "horrible."
Locals said drivers fly down the street that it might not be clear whether the driver knew he or she hit Bengochea.
"You can't see them until they get right there and bam -- they hit you," said a resident named Dot.
Angelique Carrion of Allerton said Bengochea is lucky to be alive. She said the stretch of Williamsbridge Road where the accident happened desperately needs another crosswalk.
"Something needs to be done in the area -- too many people getting hit by cars in the past years," Carrion said.
The victim was rushed to Jacobi Medical Center in critical condition.
Investigators are hoping that the surveillance video will help lead them to the person behind the wheel during the incident.
Police late Tuesday were still searching for vehicle and the driver.
