Reward offered for hit and run driver that struck girl

By Journal staff | Wednesday, December 17, 2008

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The window of opportunity is narrowing for a hit-and-run driver to turn himself over to authorities as Rapid City police ratcheted up their investigation by offering a cash reward for information leading to his arrest.

Lt. James Johns said the Community Reward Fund will reward $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the driver involved in the early Monday morning crash that knocked a 12-year-old Dakota Middle School student out cold.

"It's the humane thing to do. The driver needs to turn himself in," Johns said.

Criminal charges probably would not have been pressed had the driver stopped right away. "Each person has their own reason for running," he said.

The girl was treated at and released from Rapid City Regional Hospital. While the victim is recovering and in good condition, this is still a significant case, he said.

"The public expectation is that we do everything to solve this case. For some people, money motivates them more than their conscience. But it is a motivator for them to talk to the police," Johns said.

Since the 7:40 a.m. incident, police have received several calls about the car and driver. "We have followed up on those leads, but nothing has led to the suspect," Johns said.

The crash occurred near the intersection of Fifth and South streets. The 12-year-old girl was struck and knocked unconscious by a vehicle travelling north on Fifth Street as she and her sister attempted to cross Fifth Street on their way to Dakota Middle School.

A neighbor coming out of a church heard the crash, saw the girl lying in the road and ran with the girl's sister to pull the unconscious girl from the road and away from traffic.

Debris recovered at the scene led investigators to believe the suspect vehicle is possibly a 1998-2002 Chevy Prism or a 1998-2002 Toyota Corolla, described as light colored, white or "dirty." Damage on the suspect vehicle should include a missing passenger side mirror and damage to the passenger side glass.

Police are looking for a 20- to 30-year-old white male with brown hair.

"We'll get this person tracked down," Johns said.

A hit-and-run accident resulting in death or injury is a felony. If convicted, the Department of Revenue will revoke that person's driver's license.

If you have information about this accident, call the Rapid City Police Department at 394-4130 or 394-4131.