ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Ann Arbor police are searching for a hit-and-run driver after dash cam video captured an SUV striking a 22-year-old pedestrian in a marked crosswalk -- and the clip is going viral on social media.
It happened Tuesday afternoon at the intersection of East Huron Street and Thayer Street in Ann Arbor. Video shows the pedestrian attempting to cross the street with the crosswalk lights flashing when a white Chevrolet Traverse struck him and drove away.
“The driver has a responsibility to stop, stay on the scene and wait for police to arrive and investigate the incident,” said Ann Arbor Police Sgt. Kory Petterle.
Instead, Petterle says the driver fled -- traveling the wrong way down a one-way street.
The force of the impact knocked the pedestrian out of his shoes. He was able to get back up, gather his belongings and was assisted by another pedestrian who was also in the crosswalk at the time.
Police say the pedestrian was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
“Luckily, the pedestrian has non-life-threatening injuries,” Petterle said. “Sounds like they will make a full recovery.”
Had the driver stopped, checked on the victim and contacted police as required by law, the incident may have ended there. Instead, the driver -- once caught -- faces charges of leaving the scene of an accident, which carries penalties including fines or jail time.
According to police, the suspect vehicle was displaying a temporary license plate and is believed to have sustained front-end damage.
“We are still looking for that vehicle,” Petterle said. “It’s a white Chevy Traverse, has a temp license plate in the back window.”
Petterle says he hopes the widely shared video serves as a warning to drivers everywhere.
“Be alert -- the summertime in Ann Arbor means lots of events, lots of things going on, people moving around downtown through the crosswalks,” Petterle said. “As well as extra drivers coming into town, so just everyone be alert.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Ann Arbor Police Department at 734-794-6920, email tips@a2gov.org or submit an anonymous tip through Silent Witness here.