Pedestrian fighting for life after crash

"victim rolled off the hood onto the street"

By Tamara Barak

May 29, 2007

A 70-year-old man has been hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after a hit-and-run driver struck him in a San Francisco crosswalk this morning, police said.

The pedestrian was crossing California Street at Hyde Street near Polk Gulch when an eastbound car plowed into him at 5:30 a.m., San Francisco police Sgt. Neville Gittens said.

"He ended up on the hood of the vehicle and the vehicle continued for about 25 feet with the victim on the hood," Gittens said. "The suspect stopped the vehicle, and the victim rolled off the hood onto the street."

The car, which witnesses described as either a gray Nissan or blue Toyota, then continued eastbound on California Street toward Leavenworth Street, Gittens said.

The pedestrian was rushed to San Francisco General Hospital.

Police are urging the driver and any witnesses to come forward.

"We would like the person who did this to turn themselves in," Gittens said.

He added that sometimes drivers will panic and go into shock following an accident, but that doesn't excuse them of their responsibility to stop, render aid, and report the crash.

Witnesses can contact police investigators at (415) 553-1641.

Copyright © 2007 by Bay City News, Inc. -- Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.

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