Police searching for hit-and-run motorist
By Amanda H. Miller, Jackson Hole, Wyoming
January 17, 2008
Jackson police are looking for a motorist who hit a pedestrian Monday night on Broadway Avenue and drove away.
A 22-year-old Jackson man stumbled into Wendy’s a little after 10 p.m. on Monday bruised, bleeding and disoriented, according to police reports. The staff there called police, and he was taken to St. John’s Medical Center, where he was treated and released.
The man told police he was hit by a vehicle, possibly a dark-colored truck, but he can’t remember much. He left El Abuelito Family Mexican Restaurant that night and set off for the bus stop in front of Wendy’s. At some point, maybe near the Loaf ’N Jug, a vehicle hit him and knocked him into a snow bank.
He was unconscious long enough to wake up with severe frostbite on his hand, Jackson police officer Andy Pearson said.
“They easily could have killed him,” Pearson said. “If he was not killed by the impact, he could have died from hypothermia.”
Officers are investigating the scene, but Pearson said it’s difficult to determine exactly where the man was struck since blizzard-like conditions and snow plows moved and covered up much of the evidence Tuesday morning. The victim may have been hit at a vehicle entrance to one of the nearby businesses.
Pearson said he’d like to hear from anyone who has any information in the case. Anyone who saw the accident occur or has heard something about it is asked to call the police department at 733-1430.
“Doggonit,” Pearson said. “Whoever did it, I’d like to have you come in and talk to me.”
He said he’d make an allowance for the driver if he or she comes to the police station voluntarily.
“A one-time good deal,” Pearson said. “I’ll write you a ticket instead of taking you to jail.”
