The hit-and-run driver involved in a pedestrian crash that seriously injured two children and two adults in D.C. Tuesday was trying to steal a car that a food delivery driver had left running nearby, police say.
D.C. police said Wednesday that a delivery driver left the Nissan Altima running at 18th and Newton streets NW Tuesday afternoon when a man got into the car and tried to drive off.
The delivery driver then ran back to the car and the driver struck him in the street, police said. The suspect then apparently lost control of the car and somehow got up on the sidewalk, striking a woman and two children, ages 2 and 7.
The suspect ran off after the crash. Police released a photo of him on Wednesday in the hopes that the public can help them identify him.
Medics took all four patients to area hospitals with serious injuries, the fire department said Tuesday.
The 2-year-old child has been released from the hospital, while the 7-year-old child and the woman and man remain in the hospital, police said Wednesday. One adult had surgery. All of the victims are expected to survive.
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Two neighbors told News4 the woman was pushing a stroller.
"I heard a few screams from some people so I immediately came out here," witness Nicholas Cleveland-Stout said.
"There's a woman down, a gentleman down, and the two kids were screaming," witness Brad Harris said. "Quite horrific. It was a terrible scene."
Police examined the Altima at the scene. The car's bumper and other debris littered the road.
Police are asking anyone who can identify the suspect or who knows anything to call police at (202) 727-9099 or text 50411.
Stay with News4 and NBCWashington.com for updates to this developing story.
