By Mary O’KEEFE

On Saturday, June 14 at about 6 p.m. a 15-year-old Lake Balboa boy was walking across the street at Central Avenue and Americana Way when he was struck by a vehicle described as a black Honda.

The boy was in a marked crosswalk at the time. After hitting the boy, the driver did not stop. A witness was able to obtain the license plate of the vehicle, which he gave to the police.

GPD officers identified the driver, a 51-year-old Glendale woman, and went to her home. She was not there but later, apparently encouraged by her family, the woman walked into the GPD station where she was arrested and charged with felony hit and run.

The 15-year-old victim was treated at Glendale Memorial Hospital for a sprained and bruised foot.

What to do if you hit a pedestrian according to GPD:
• Stop your car and make contact with the pedestrian and check for injuries. It is a crime to leave the scene of an accident.

• If the pedestrian is injured, render first aid and call 911.

• Call the police so they can obtain a statement from all the parties involved as well as witnesses.  You should contact the police even if the pedestrian walks off or refuses to exchange information because you do not want to be later accused of being involved in a hit and run accident.

• Do not throw anything away or hide evidence. Anything that may be relevant to the accident or injury must be preserved.

• Cooperate with all law enforcement and emergency responders.

• Contact your automobile insurance company as soon as you can to report the accident. Most insurance policies require you to report any incidents within 30 days.

  Mary Okeefe