WOONSOCKET, R.I. (WPRI) — Police in Woonsocket are seeking the public’s help in identifying the driver wanted in connection with a hit-and-run earlier this month.
On Tuesday, police released surveillance video of the moments leading up to the crash that occurred on Dec. 17 around 8 p.m. on Clinton Street. Because of the severity of the crash, 12 News stopped the video right before the moment of impact.
Police say a Woonsocket woman 30 to 40-years-old was the person hit in this crash. She was walking with a man with their back to traffic on the one-way street, a short distance from the Woonsocket Police Department.
“The victim suffered lower extremity injuries, couldn’t walk that night,” Detective Lt. Christopher Brooks with the Woonsocket Police Department.
She was thrown in the air after the SUV hit her, then it fled the scene. The victim has since been released from the hospital.
Police say they have another piece of video that appears to show the vehicle drive over the border into Massachusetts, but then the trail goes cold.
This happened on the same day of the big snow storm that hit Rhode Island two weeks ago, shortly after it stopped snowing. The sidewalks were not yet shoveled.
Detectives believe the vehicle involved is a newer-model Hyundai Tucson and say it likely has damage to it because the crash was significant. The license plate is not clear in the video.
“Maybe an autobody shop that recognizes it or maybe its a nearby car in your neighborhood,” said Lt. Brooks. “Anything that you think is useful, please call us.”
Anyone who can identify the vehicle or the driver is asked to contact Officer Thomas Gormley at (401) 762-1467 or tgormley@woonsocketri.org.
