Indianapolis police say the number of pedestrians being struck by cars is up sharply this year.
Early Monday morning, a vehicle struck and injured a woman near 21st Street and Post Road. It was the latest in an unusually high number of pedestrian-vehicle crashes this year.
Police say 328 pedestrians have been struck by vehicles this year, compared with 268 at this point last year. More than 300 people were injured in those crashes, compared to 262 last year. And 24 of the victims died – up significantly from 14 last year.
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Police say the increase in pedestrian crashes is especially troubling because it comes with an increase in hit-and-runs.
"People understand maybe hitting a pedestrian at night. That's one thing," said Sgt. Doug Heustis. "But to drive off and leave them … the vast majority of people are very upset by that kind of behavior. I think they're quick to call in when they know that."
In 2012, at State Road 37 and Wicker Road, one of those hit-and-run crashes claimed the life of Vietnam veteran Leverette Hobbs. His case remains unsolved.
"When there's a death involved, there's a family that's suffering to find out what's going on," said Butch Ellis, Hobbs' brother-in-law. "I just want them to step forward and give us some closure. It's hard not knowing who or why."
Of 16 hit-and-run fatalities this year, IMPD has cleared 12 with an arrest.
If you have any information about a hit-and-run crash, call Crime Stoppers at 262-TIPS.
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