Police Release Video Of SUV In Deadly Morningside Heights Hit-And-Run
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Police have released video of the vehicle they believe struck and killed a woman in Morningside Heights on New Year's Eve.
Authorities are asking the public for any information in the case and are hoping the video will lead to an arrest.
Police are looking for a dark Land Rover captured on camera near 116th Street with a broken passenger-side headlight and banged-up bumper, CBS2's Ilana Gold reported.
Police say the driver of the SUV sped from the deadly hit-and-run a few blocks away.
Erica Bostic was just arriving for work at St. Luke's Hospital when the crash occurred right out front at West 113th Street and Amsterdam Avenue around 6 p.m. Wednesday.
"I will definitely be on the lookout (for the vehicle)," she told Gold. "It's horrible."
Doctors at the hospital could not save the victim, Guler Ugur-Yaacobi, a photographer from Brooklyn. The 44-year-old was struck by a driver heading northbound on Amsterdam while walking home from her studio.
Ugur-Yaacobi's distraught family has now arrived in New York from Germany to handle funeral arrangements, CBS2's Hazel Sanchez reported.
"I said what's happening? They said to me 'Your aunt is dead.' I was very very shocked," said nephew Turigay Turan.
Ugur-Yaacobi's brother Hasan Urgur said he will never forgive the driver.
Her nephews said they're devastated over losing such a beautiful and inspiring soul.
"My dream was one day to work here..but now everything here remembers me of my aunt and that's very terrible," said nephew Sercan Zaman.
Friend Toby Turkel said she and Ugur-Yaacobi were set to go to a concert at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine on the night she died.
Turkel was saving seats in the church when Ugur-Yaacobi called her to say she found a parking spot a block away.
The SUV struck her as she walked to the cathedral, Sanchez reported.
"He hit someone who was so caring and so sensitive to people and their needs. It's very devastating," Turkel said.
Ugur-Yaacobi's entire family was together in Germany celebrating New Year's Eve when they received the tragic news.
"Everybody was crying. Everybody was shocked when we got the news. She was such a powerful person that she didn't deserve this death," said one relative.
Residents who live and work in Morningside Heights are outraged that the person behind the wheel never stopped to help and let Ugur-Yaacobi die in the middle of the road.
"Any hit-and-run is pretty reprehensible, and I often wonder if there's ever any other way of looking at it than total irresponsibility," said Frank Kehl, a Morningside Heights resident.
"I was just sad when I saw it yesterday," added Nana Marfoa, a St. Luke's employee. "I was really sad."
Residents said they are extremely aware now when walking through the intersection.
"You're constantly having to protect yourself," said July Onghai, of Morningside Heights.
Ugur-Yaacobi's family said all they can do now is hope the driver will come forward.
Police are asking anyone with information about the hit-and-run to call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-8477 or to submit a tip online at NYPDCrimeStoppers.com. All communications are kept confidential.
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