Florence Ngwu, mother of 4, dies after being pinned by hit-and-run driver outside Queens home
NEW YORK -- Florence Ngwu, the Queens woman who was pinned by a hit-and-run driver outside her home on Mother's Day, has died, her family told CBS2.
Ngwu's niece said the family was devastated to learn the 49-year-old died Monday morning from her injuries.
"I lived with her most of my life," Nnenna B told CBS2's Leah Mishkin. "A very strong woman. She was just a fighter. So we thought maybe she could."
The disturbing scene unfolded on Sunday morning. Surveillance video shows a truck hit a car, which neighbors said belonged to Ngwu's daughter, on 120th Avenue by 167th Street.
We're told Ngwu and her daughter approached the truck driver.
"I just wish that they stayed on the sidewalk and just called police instead of coming in the street and trying to be too vigilant," neighbor Calvin Williams said.
The driver of the truck hit several more parked cars as he made a U-turn on the dead-end street, causing one of them to drag and, as the video shows, pinning Ngwu between two cars.
Ngwu was taken to the hospital, where she died.
Police continue to search for the truck driver, who fled the scene. According to NYPD, the truck was recovered at 164th Place, but it was unattended.
Video appears to show the driver walking away. Ngwu's family said it was inhumane and cowardly to leave the scene.
"She has four kids, two girls and two boys," Nnenna B said.
Ngwu was a nurse. Her niece said she was a strong woman.
"A very caring, very loving woman. Wonderful mom, has helped taken care of me as well too," Nnenna B said.
Police are looking into why the truck was on the street in the first place. Sources said the truck was reported stolen earlier that day.
