Hit-And-Run Leaves 2 Teens Hospitalized; Search Continues For Driver
RIO LINDA (CBS13) – A hit-and-run left two teenagers hospitalized after being hit by a truck Thursday night.
Kim Alexander is the mother of Malcolm Bandy, one of the teens injured in the crash, and has a message for the driver: "Why did you just leave? Why did you leave our sons?"
It's what any parent would ask after two bright futures were nearly cut short.
"They're about to graduate high school and this person could have killed them, and didn't care enough to stop to make sure our sons were OK," said Kim.
The 17-year-olds were heading home along Dry Creek Road, north of Elkhorn Boulevard in Rio Linda around 10:20 p.m. Malcolm was walking his bike and Andrew Whitten was riding his skateboard when a Ford pickup swerved into the bike lane and hit them.
"Everyday path, this is the road they're on 10 times a day, every day of their lives," said Amy Whitten-Hurlbut, Andrew's mother.
The teens were sent flying and the driver quickly sped off, say police.
"When I got there all I saw was this crumpled bike and cops and ambulances speeding off," said Steve Bandy, Malcolm's father.
Andrew is in critical condition in the ICU at Mercy San Juan Medical Hospital. He is missing teeth and his jaw is broken. His mother says his face is so badly cut he may need reconstructive surgery.
Malcolm is in fair condition with a concussion. His jaw is broken in two places and he is also missing teeth.
His mother says the teens are lucky they'll be able to walk out of the hospital.
"We can't believe somebody did that to our sons and just not care," said Kim. "They hit two boys and just drove away."
The suspect's vehicle is a large, dark-colored Ford pickup with a missing right mirror. Police say the truck should have suffered damage to the hood, grille and right headlight.
Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to contact the California Highway Patrol's North Sacramento Area office at (916) 338-6710.
