An elderly woman is fighting for her life after a hit-and-run on Park Avenue in Orange Mound, and Memphis police are now hunting for the driver who took off instead of stopping.
Officers found the woman late Thursday night on Park Avenue just west of Dallas Street, where witnesses said a small gray or light-blue sedan slammed into her, then sped off westbound on Park Avenue. The car may have noticeable damage to its front-right bumper and hood.
According to the Memphis Police Department, officers were dispatched at about 11:37 p.m. for the hit-and-run and rushed the woman to a hospital in critical condition. Investigators released surveillance stills that appear to show a gray or light-blue Honda Civic, possibly a 2006 to 2011 model, which they believe is the suspect vehicle and likely has damage to the front-right bumper and hood.
Local TV coverage quickly amplified the alert. As reported by WREG, officers were called to the area around 11:30 p.m., and investigators asked anyone with tips or dashcam footage to contact Crime Stoppers. WREG echoed police on the key details of the suspected Honda Civic and highlighted the Crime Stoppers tip line, 901-528-CASH.
Park Avenue safety concerns
The crash lands on a corridor that neighbors say already feels on edge. Coverage of deadly Park Avenue gunfire and other recent violence has rattled Orange Mound residents, who are watching both traffic and foot traffic more closely as police repeatedly respond to incidents along Park Avenue.
What the law says
Under Tennessee law, drivers involved in crashes that injure someone are required to stop, share their information and provide reasonable assistance. Leaving the scene is not just bad form; it is a crime, and the penalties get steeper when someone is hurt. That escalation, along with the potential for license revocation, is laid out in a legislative summary for a bill amending Title 55, Chapter 10, of the Tennessee Code, as detailed by the Tennessee General Assembly.
Police ask for tips
The Memphis Police Department is urging anyone who was on Park Avenue around the time of the crash to review dashcam or doorbell footage and share anything useful with investigators. Drivers or residents who spot a gray or light-blue Honda Civic with fresh front-right damage are also asked to speak up.
Tips can be directed to Crime Stoppers at 901-528-CASH or to the Memphis Police Department directly. The investigation remains active, and no arrests have been announced. Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers at 901-528-CASH or reach the Memphis Police Department's tip line.
