News

Actions

UPDATE: Police continue to search for hit-and-run driver who hit teen on bike

Posted at 11:30 PM, Aug 29, 2014
and last updated 2014-09-03 12:41:03-04

Newport News, Va. - A teen continues to recover after he was hit by a vehicle in Newport News on Friday night.

Emergency officials received calls about the accident just after 10 p.m. about a child been hit in the Jefferson Avenue and Bellwood Road area.

When they arrived on the scene, they found a 14-year-old boy who had possible life-threatening injuries to his head.

He was then airlifted to the hospital where he is now stable.

Bike teen was riding when he was hit

Police say two teens were riding their bicycles on Jefferson Avenue when one of them was hit. They say this area is poorly lit.

After hitting the teen on the bike, the vehicle then continued to drag the bicycle a short distance. The driver got out of the car, removed the bicycle and left the scene.

"It's unacceptable to hit a human being and leave them in the street," said Newport News Police Officer D.J. Pointer.

He's a part of the crash reconstruction team and has been looking closely at surveillance video from a local business. NewsChannel 3 also obtained the video.  It shows the vehicle dragging the bike approximately 1,000 feet. Sparks can be seen coming from the bottom of the vehicle as the bicycle is dragged underneath.

"We were hoping to get good enough video to get a license plate on it," Pointer added. "If you know somebody has seen a vehicle that damage has popped up on it give us a call. "

It has not yet been determined how fast the vehicle was going. The speed limit in the area is 45 mph. Police say there are no skid marks on the road to indicate panic braking.

The boy's father, Antonio Barrow, exclusively spoke to NewsChannel 3 on Tuesday. He was there as his son, Kevon, was airlifted to the hospital on Friday night.  He just doesn't understand why the driver didn't stop and hopes that who ever was behind the wheel will turn themselves in.

"People don't treat people like that. He's not a dog, he's a human being," said Barrow. "Just turn yourself in, that's all I can say because at the end of the day, you have a conscious too."

There is no description of the driver available. Crews are asking for the public's help to find the vehicle and the driver. Police say they're looking for a crossover SUV or van like a Nissan Quest or Honda Passport with damage to the lower front grill or bumper. They believe it is maroon in color.

If you know anything about this accident, please call the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.