Early Thursday on Indianapolis' near northwest side, a hit-and-run driver left a person in critical condition after a serious crash near a busy neighborhood intersection, police said.
The collision happened shortly before 5:30 a.m. around Lafayette Road and Kessler Boulevard North Drive. According to investigators, a vehicle struck a person and then took off. Emergency crews rushed the victim to a nearby hospital, and officers shut down lanes in the area while investigators documented the scene and collected evidence.
IMPD: Crash Under Investigation
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department says officers were called to the Lafayette Road and Kessler Boulevard North Drive area just before 5:30 a.m. Thursday on reports that a person had been struck. Emergency personnel transported the victim to an area hospital in critical condition, and investigators say the driver left the scene, per WIBC 93.1 FM. Police are asking anyone with information about the vehicle or the driver to contact the IMPD tip line or the detectives assigned to the case.
Hit-and-Runs Are a Growing Problem in Indy
Hit-and-run crashes have been climbing in Indianapolis in recent years, and the outcomes are increasingly deadly. As reported by WISH-TV, the city saw hit-and-run fatalities increase in 2022, and IMPD investigators say they rely on tools such as license-plate readers and camera footage to track down fleeing drivers. The station noted that the department solves roughly half of these cases on average, which underscores how hard it can be to identify suspects who leave the scene.
How to Help
Authorities are urging anyone who saw Thursday morning’s crash, or who has video or other information, to come forward. Tips to Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana can be called in at 317-262-TIPS (8477), submitted online or sent through the P3Tips app, per Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana. Even small details can help investigators connect the dots in hit-and-run cases.
This Intersection Has Seen Serious Crashes Before
The Lafayette Road and Kessler Boulevard corridor has seen serious collisions before, including a hit-and-run fatality reported in late 2024, highlighting recurring safety concerns at the intersection. Local coverage of that prior incident and other crashes in the area has documented how the stretch blends commercial strips, bus stops and residential driveways, which can increase risk for both pedestrians and drivers, as WISH-TV previously reported. The pattern of crashes has renewed attention on safety along Kessler Boulevard in recent years.
Legal Note
Under Indiana law, drivers involved in a crash that injures someone are required to stop, stay at the scene, provide their information and offer reasonable assistance. Leaving instead can lead to criminal charges that escalate with the severity of the injuries. Indiana Code § 9-26-1-1.1 makes leaving the scene a misdemeanor or felony depending on whether the crash causes bodily injury, serious bodily injury or death, per the Indiana Code. If investigators identify a suspect and gather sufficient evidence, prosecutors will decide what charges to file.
What Comes Next
Investigators say the probe is ongoing and that officers will continue to follow leads as they work to identify the vehicle and driver, per WIBC 93.1 FM. Detectives typically pull surveillance footage from nearby businesses and homes, review other records and appeal to the public for any video or eyewitness accounts that might point them to the person behind the wheel. This story will be updated as officials release more information.
