Monday, September 29, 2008

Girl Hospitalized After Hit-And-Run In Queens - Reported by Deborah Garcia - wcbstv.com

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Surveillance video at a Getty gas station at the corner of Rockaway Boulevard and 98th Street captured a black Nissan Altima striking a 12-year-old girl who was crossing the street.


A 12-year-old girl is in critical condition after she was struck by a driver who never stopped in front of a gas station in the Queens on Wednesday morning.

The tragedy unfolded on Rockaway Boulevard in Ozone Park after the victim, Nisha Choudhry, was dropped off along with a friend of hers by her father, something he only does Wednesdays on his day off.

"I go 5, 10 meters when my mind says something. I come back then I saw some kids lying in the street, then I saw my daughter," said a deeply distraught Raj Choudhry.

The entire incident was captured on surveillance camera. The two girls were heading to Middle School 137.

"It's very hard. I love my daughter," Mr. Choudhry said.

Because of Nisha's head injury, she was transported from Jamaica Hospital to New York Presbyterian in Manhattan. Meanwhile, police are searching for the black Nissan believed to be a 2007 model that fled the scene. It is missing a driver's side mirror.

"She didn't see the car, but the car came and hit her and she flew up in the air. And when she came down she hit her head. She started bleeding. She was like in a coma," said an unidentified witness.

Mr. Choudhry is still having a difficult time believing the driver never stopped to help his little girl.

"Be kind to people. You should not run away. Stop and help," he said.

Nisha's friend that was also struck by the car has a minor injury to her arm. Anyone with information about the accident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-877-577-TIPS.