Van Found in Hartford Hit-and-Run That Put Pedestrian in Coma

Police have found the van belonging to the driver who hit a pedestrian before fleeing the scene at the end of November.

As the driver left, heading east on Homestead Avenue, the witness was able to capture a picture of the back of the car -- a tan Chrysler Town and Country van with Connecticut license plate 395-YMM.

Hartford police identified Ralph McGriff, 52, of Hartford, as a person of interest wanted for questioning in the accident that involved a driver who fled, police said. He frequents the area of 560 Park Street and has an "extensive criminal history," according to police.

Officers responded to the area of 333 Homestead Ave, at 4:41 p.m. on Nov. 23 after receiving a report that a pedestrian was struck and found a man lying in the road.

His legs were broken and he sustained head and arm injuries, according to police, and he was transported to Saint Francis Hospital, where he was placed in a medically induced coma.

Police said they do not believe the man’s injuries are life-threatening.

Police released graphic video taken from the surveillance camera on the Salvation Army building at 333 Homestead Ave.

It shows the man in the crosswalk as a vehicle hits him, throws him into the air and leaves the scene.
A witness police spoke with said the victim was trying to cross the street and landed around 150 feet from where he was hit, police said.

While police had the license plate number, it had not originally led them to a suspect because the plate was misused.

The video surveillance also showed the fleeing vehicle pull into a parking lot near the crash scene, then continue east on Homestead Avenue and out of camera range, police said.

Police are asking anyone with information about what happened to call police or provide a tip on the anonymous tip online. http://www.hartford.gov/Police.

Contact Us