Austin police are renewing calls for tips after a Dec. 26 hit-and-run in South Austin that left a driver and a 2-year-old passenger injured. The afternoon crash happened near South First Street and Dittmar Road, and officers say the vehicle involved took off without stopping or offering help. According to the Austin Police Department, detectives are still working to track down both the driver and the vehicle.
According to KEYE, APD reported the collision at about 3:49 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 26. Investigators described the suspect vehicle as a pewter-colored Hummer H2, likely a 2003 to 2009 model, and say it left the scene without stopping or rendering aid. Police identified the victims only as the driver and their 2-year-old passenger and did not immediately release their conditions.
Anyone who might have seen the crash or recognizes that Hummer is asked to send an anonymous tip to Capital Area Crime Stoppers or call 512-472-8477. Crime Stoppers says tipsters can stay anonymous, and information that leads to an arrest could earn a reward of up to $1,000.
What the law says
Under Texas Transportation Code § 550.021, drivers involved in crashes that cause injury, or could reasonably cause injury, have to stop, provide their identifying information, and offer reasonable assistance. Leaving the scene of a crash that results in serious injury can be charged as a felony, with even tougher penalties if the collision results in death.
South First safety context
This stretch of South First has seen multiple serious crashes this year; earlier reporting on a hit-and-run that left a moped rider seriously injured highlighted just how often investigators are back out here. The repeat hit-and-run cases along South First have kept the street on the radar for local outlets and led to repeated pleas for witnesses to step up.
