When a pedestrian is hit by a motor vehicle the results are often catastrophic. The human body is simply no match for the much larger and heavier vehicle. While broken bones, damage to the spine and brain injuries may occur in a pedestrian accident, sometimes the injuries are so devastating that they result in death.

Last week, a pedestrian was injured in East Deer, Pennsylvania, when a Ford Mustang hit her and then left the scene. The 47-year-old woman was with her boyfriend when the incident occurred. Just before the car hit her, they were apparently walking down the steps of the Creighton Hotel located on Freeport Road. Her boyfriend reportedly tried to push the woman out of the way when they realized the car was coming toward them. Unfortunately, despite his best efforts she was still struck.

The woman’s injuries were described as life-threatening and she was taken to Allegheny General Hospital located in Pittsburgh.

As mentioned above, the man driving the Ford fled the scene of the accident. Police located the car about an hour after the accident based on a description provided by the injured woman’s boyfriend. The driver again tried to flee, first in his car and later on foot. He was eventually apprehended through the use of a Taser.

The driver gave several different versions of what happened. He said he fled because he was driving without a license. He also claimed another car rear ended his car causing him to lose control and hit the woman.

Whatever the reason for the accident, the man has been charged with several crimes including drunken driving, aggravated assault with a vehicle and resisting arrest and fleeing or attempting to elude police. The injured woman may decide to file a civil personal injury case against him as well.

Source: Valley News Dispatch, “East Deer woman seriously hurt in hit-and-run incident,” Chuck Biedka, Feb. 7, 2012