05/24/2010 // West Palm Beach, FL, USA // Tara Monks // Tara Monks
Garden City, NY – A group of 16-year-old girls fell victim to a hit-and-run driver in Garden City on Wednesday, May 19, 2010 as reported by ABC News. Three of the four teens were recovering at Winthrop University Hospital and the fourth remained in critical condition as of Saturday, May 22.
The girls were run down in front of the Roosevelt Field shopping mall, according to reports; and thanks to a Good Samaritan, the culprit was caught.
Police reported 26-year-old Elias Garcia, of Hempstead, jumped the curb of a sidewalk and hit the girls. Two were knocked down and the other two landed on the hood of the vehicle. Garcia then sped off, crossing several lanes of traffic before the two girls on the hood finally fell off. The high-school students were left in the middle of the street, suffering wounds and broken bones.
Steve Louverde, the man who stopped Garcia explained his reaction to reporters as initially wanting to stop and help the victims but then changing his mind as he saw the driver try to leave the scene. He chased the driver down Clinton road.
Louverde said Garcia came to a stop at a red light on Stewart Avenue when he jumped from his car and confronted Garcia. He apparently pulled him out of his car and took the keys out of the ignition.
Garcia was charged with endangering the welfare of a child, reckless endangerment and reckless driving. All charges are misdemeanors.
Media Information:
Address: Garden City, New York
Phone: (866) 598-1315
Url: http://TaraMonks.visionsmartnews.com/garden-city-hit-and-run_446.html
