San Diego

Man With Autism Is Victim in Escondido Hit and Run

Escondido Police describe the car that hit him as a silver or dark gray early 2000 model Nissan sedan with clear tail light covers.

A driver crashed into a young man with autism in Escondido and then drove off, according to the Escondido Police Department.

The crash happened at approximately 8:14 a.m. Thursday on S Juniper Street and E 10th Avenue.

The victim, Bobby Walker, was taken to Palomar Medical Center where he had to undergo surgery.

Walker's mother said she is heartbroken. She says her son survived the accident but has a long road to recovery.

Patty Pommerening told NBC 7 that despite his autism, Walker navigates the city bus service independently but that proved more dangerous Thursday morning. 

โ€œThe car hit him on the left side. It broke his arm in two places,โ€ Pommerening said.

Pommerening says her son also has scrapes and bruises all over his body and a gash above his eye that required stitches.

โ€œIt is really hard not to be emotional. He is such a sweet kid. Just the sweetest person you would ever meet,โ€ Pommerening said.

Walker was struck crossing S Juniper Street as he made his way to the bus stop.

Escondido Police describe the car that hit him as a silver or dark gray early 2000 model Nissan sedan with clear tail light covers.

โ€œAnybody who would leave somebody just in the street like that is not a good person. They have no soul,โ€ Pommerening said.

The car continued northbound even though Walker's injuries indicate he likely hit the windshield and rolled over the top of the car.

โ€œI'm worried about how it will affect him emotionally as well as just the physical scars and healing,โ€ Pommerening said.

She told NBC 7 that he is out of surgery but won't be released from the hospital until Saturday.

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