(Bridgeport, CT — May 9, 2013) — Police arrested a 23-year-old man Thursday in connection with a hit-and-run accident that injured an 10-year-old boy.
Paul Whitehurst turned himself in to police Thursday evening. He faces charges of evading responsibility, driving without a license, failure to yield to a pedestrian and driving the wrong way on a one-way street, which occurred as he tried to flee the scene.
Officers Pete Garcia and John Perry, of the department’s traffic unit, made the arrest with the help of information provided by the public.
The accident happened Thursday morning at the intersection of Howard and Maplewood avenues. The victim was crossing the street en route to Bryant School. One car stopped to let him cross but Whitehurst continued through the crosswalk and struck the child. The boy suffered a laceration to his ear and some abrasions.
Witnesses chased after the fleeing car and the driver stopped and fled on foot.
Police checked the registration of the car and determined it was a rental. Police made contact with the person on the rental agreement and, as the investigation progressed, identified Whitehurst as the driver.
After speaking with police, he came to police headquarters Thursday evening and turned himself in.
The victim is expected to be fine.