Elderly Woman Killed While Crossing Street in Hit and Run Crash on Long Island

An 80-year-old woman was recently killed while attempting to cross the street at the intersection of Washington Street and Nichols Court in the town of Hempstead. According to reports, the driver fled the scene of the crash and police officers had to conduct a search to locate the individual.

The accident occurred shortly before 9 p.m. on Tuesday, September 12. According to law enforcement authorities, the victim was attempting to cross the street, although it is unclear why she was out walking and there was no evidence as to who had the right of way. She was rushed to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead at around 11:15 p.m.

Authorities immediately began the search for the driver and found the car parked on the street. It was impounded for a forensic investigation. Anyone with additional information about the accident was encouraged to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers.

Leaving the scene of an accident a serious offense

All parties involved in an accident, regardless of their potential liability, are expected to remain behind at the scene, exchange contact and insurance information and wait for police or emergency responders to arrive. Leaving the scene of an accident is a criminal offense — and it can be a felony if the crash resulted in injury or death.

When a driver flees the scene, it also makes it incredibly difficult for victims to get the compensation they need to cover the costs of treating their injuries and repairing damage to property. They often must turn to their own insurance providers, which can lead to higher premiums.

If you have been involved in a serious car accident and need sound legal guidance, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer with Jakubowski, Robertson, Maffei, Goldsmith & Tartaglia, LLP.