Police in Mount Vernon are appealing for the public's help to find a motorcyclist who struck a young child and a relative and then rode away without stopping. Investigators said a 4-year-old child and a family member were hit on South Third Avenue, and that the rider left the scene rather than remaining to help or speak with authorities.
According to investigators, the crash happened at around 7:30 on Monday night. The child and the family member were struck on the avenue, and the focus of the investigation quickly turned to identifying and locating the motorcyclist who took off in the aftermath, leaving police to piece together what happened from the scene and witness accounts.
Authorities have released a distinctive description of the motorcycle in the hope that someone will recognise it. Police said they are looking for a black-and-white motorcycle with the words 'lucky strike' set inside a black circle on the side, a marking that could help members of the public identify the bike if they have seen it in the area.
Investigators also offered a description of the rider, who they said was last seen wearing all black. The combination of the rider's clothing and the unusual emblem on the motorcycle gives the public specific details to watch for as the search for the person responsible continues across the community.
Hit-and-run cases involving a young child tend to draw particular concern, and police treat the failure to stop as a serious matter on top of the collision itself. By putting out the description of the motorcycle and rider, investigators are leaning on the community to come forward with any tips that might help track down the person who fled.
The investigation remained active as police worked to find the motorcyclist. Authorities asked anyone who recognises the motorcycle or has information about the crash on South Third Avenue to contact them, hoping that the distinctive markings on the bike will lead to the rider who left the child and the family member behind.