driver

Caught on Camera: East Village Hit-and-Run

A passenger on a nearby bus captured cellphone video of the disturbing incident -- video that could be crucial to the investigation

A woman lying in a parking lot in San Diego's East Village area was struck by a hit-and-run driver Friday -- and the frantic moments after the disturbing incident were all caught on camera.

San Diego Police Department (SDPD) Officer Robert Heims said the victim was in the middle of an Ace Parking lot  at 1344 National Ave. at around 2:30 p.m. when a driver behind the wheel of a charcoal grey Jeep Patriot entered the lot and ran over the woman.

The driver paused for a second and then fled the scene, police said. The hit-and-run suspect was last spotted traveling eastbound Imperial Avenue. The SDPD said the victim suffered life-threatening injuries and was rushed to a local hospital.

The aftermath of the hit-and-run was captured on cellphone video by witness Angela Davis, who was riding a bus near the MTS Transit Center at 12th Street and Imperial Avenue at the time of the incident.

Davis' footage shows the suspect fleeing the scene. She hopes the video helps police track down the suspect.

"I would like to see if someone is able to identify the vehicle or the man, and bring them to justice,” Davis told NBC 7.

The video appears to show the driver actually getting out of the Jeep to look at the victim before driving off.

β€œHe fled not realizing it was going to make it worse for him,” Davis said.

SDPD investigators are now searching for the driver, and possibly a second person.

The video appears to show a woman attempting to get in the front seat of the Jeep as it turns to leave the parking lot. She was wearing a blue cap, a green shirt, carrying a coat and bag.

She walked east across 14th Street. Meanwhile, police said the suspect fled north on 14th Street toward Imperial Avenue.

Several bystanders stayed with the victim until help arrived.

For Davis, it's a scene she will not soon forget.

β€œIn three or four minutes, I saw the best of our citizenry at work and the worst in one person," she explained.

Investigators have contacted Davis to obtain the video. The investigation is ongoing.

Police said the suspect's car had a large roof rack and black rims, and a California license plate.

Contact Us