An 82 year old woman who was struck by a Hartford man on July 11th has died. The woman was hit by 21-year-old Victor Morales while he was backing up a van at the C-Town Supermarket on Park Street in Hartford.
According to police, Morales was backing up the van when he went over the curb and hit Maria Santos pinning her down. Lt. Brian Foley, of the Hartford Police Department, said emergency responders had to use a forklift to remove the van and free Santos.
“It was a difficult situation for everybody,” Foley said after the crash.
Police say that Morales did not see Santos and ran inside the store to alert a manager that an accident had occurred. She was transported to the ICU at St. Francis Hospital where she was listed in critical condition. She was updated to stable condition a week later but succumbed to her injuries today.
The incident was reported around 12:30 p.m. on July 11 and Morales was arrested around 1 p.m., when he returned to the scene a witness identified him, according to the police report.
Morales was released by police on a promise to appear in court but was then taken into custody on another warrant, believed to be related to his immigration status.
Authorities have also said that Morales did not appear to have a driver’s license and was carrying a Mexican passport. Morales’ manager also said that he did not know why Morales was in the truck and should not have been making deliveries.
“Our prayers and thoughts are with the victim, Mrs. Santos. This is nothing more than a tragic accident. My client did call 911, did go to his employer to render assistance. At no time did he try to flee from the scene of the accident,” said Corey Brinson, Morales’ attorney.
Morales has been charged with reckless driving, evading responsibility, unsafe backing, operating without a license and driving on a sidewalk.
Police said he could face additional charges.
