WALLINGFORD, CT — Wallingford police on Wednesday, Oct. 14, identified the driver of the SUV that struck an 11-year-old girl riding her bicycle on Monday and left the scene, Police Chief John Ventura said. The operator is cooperating with investigators, and police said an arrest warrant application is anticipated.
Officers Found Damage Consistent With the Crash
Ventura said officers on motor vehicle enforcement near Washington and Hosford streets Wednesday saw the suspect vehicle moving northbound on Washington Street. After stopping it, they found damage consistent with the hit-and-run and seized the vehicle for evidence, according to the department.
Ventura credited information from surveillance sources at local businesses with helping investigators identify the vehicle. In a news release, he thanked the Wallingford business community for information that assisted the investigation.
The Crash Injured an 11-Year-Old Bicyclist
At about 4:20 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12, an SUV that may be an older model struck the girl at Washington and Hosford streets and drove away. Ventura said the initial investigation indicates the SUV was heading southbound on Washington Street.
Officers found the girl unconscious with serious injuries, Ventura said. The Wallingford Fire Department took her to a hospital, and police have not released her condition. The South-Central Traffic Unit took over the investigation.
Before the driver was identified, the girl's father told FOX61 he wanted "the person who did this to come forward." He said his daughter was expected to get an MRI Tuesday morning. A witness told FOX61 that from a balcony they saw two girls riding bikes and heard what sounded like a crash, then found the girl on the grass with her bike in the intersection.