An off-duty NYPD officer was hospitalized after a driver hit her and sped off in Midtown today, according to police sources. The 31-year-old officer was walking when the vehicle struck her, then took off without stopping, authorities said. Emergency responders brought her to a local hospital as police began hunting for the car and its driver.
Police Searching for Driver
New York police said the driver left the scene after striking the pedestrian, and investigators fanned out across Midtown to find witnesses and surveillance video, according to CBS News New York. Police sources told the outlet the injured pedestrian is an off-duty NYPD officer, though the department has not released her name or the precise crash location. Detectives have asked anyone with information or footage to come forward as the investigation continues.
Potential Legal Consequences
Under New York law, a driver who leaves the scene of a crash that injures someone can face serious criminal and civil fallout. Vehicle and Traffic Law § 600 requires drivers to stop, share information, and report the incident, and treats fleeing after an injury as a crime. Penalties rise if the injury is severe or if the driver was impaired, per New York Vehicle and Traffic Law § 600, cited by Justia. Prosecutors could bring misdemeanor or felony charges depending on how badly the officer was hurt and what the investigation uncovers.
What Happens Next
Police have not publicly identified any suspects and are releasing only limited details while detectives comb through surveillance video and continue canvassing the area, CBS News New York reports. Anyone who saw the crash or captured it on video is urged to contact NYPD detectives or Crime Stoppers with tips.
