INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department says there have been more than 6,000 hit-and-run crashes this year, 21 of which have been deadly. That's the most on record since 2011.
Most recently, a man was killed in a hit-and-run while he was walking early Sunday on the city's east side, police say.
Frank Sawyer, 48, was at the intersection of North Sheridan Avenue and East 10th Street, near Anderson Cemetery, when a driver struck him, according to IMPD.
Officers responded to that location about 4:05 a.m. for a report of a deceased person. When they arrived, they found Sawyer not awake or breathing.
He was pronounced dead about 4:17 a.m. at the scene.
“If you hit somebody, it's going to be an impact and the most natural thing for anybody to do when they run over something is loop back and try to see what they hit,” said Clinton Webster, who walks in the area where Sawyer was hit and killed on Sunday.
“If you have a wife or a child, would you want someone to do that to your family?” Webster said. “No matter what the situation is, you have to be a decent human being first."
IMPD says that in 2021, there were 20 total fatal hit-and-runs. Of those, 13 of those killed were pedestrians.
Police haven't released additional information on the latest deadly hit-and-run, including a description of the vehicle involved.
Anyone with more information may contact Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477 (TIPS).
WRTV Real-Time Editor Lucas Gonzalez contributed to this report.
-
Authorities searching for man suspected of assault on Monroe County nature trail
An assault disrupted the usual calm at Karst Farm Greenway, prompting a Monroe County Sheriff's Office investigation.'It transports you': Local businesses await Nickel Plate Trail completion
Local businesses located around the Nickel Plate Trail are sharing their excitement about the new green space as it nears the end of construction.Community leaders launch plan to transform Far East Side’s future
Community leaders on the Far East Side of Indianapolis are developing a long-term quality of life plan aimed at reshaping the neighborhood’s narrative and expanding opportunities for residents.'We can't take it anymore': Braun appoints new utility consumer commissioner
Abby Gray will lead the office, which Braun says will work to evaluate utilities' profits and help implement cost-saving measures to reduce the burden on Indiana ratepayers.