Apr 9, 2009 1:51 pm US/Eastern
Rash Of Fatal Hit-And-Runs Leaves NYPD Scrambling
2 Fatal Incidents Occur Wednesday Night In Manhattan & Queens
Brings Total Of Hit-And-Runs To 3 In As Many Days In NYC
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Police were on the scene of a fatal hit-and-run on Queens Boulevard on Wednesday night. New York City has seen a sudden rash of deadly hit-and-run incidents in the last few days.
CBS
It's been open season for pedestrians in New York City. Three fatal hit-and-runs in the last three days have left police scrambling for answers.
Police at the 10th Precinct stationhouse on 20th Street in Manhattan have been questioning the driver of a private carting company who they believe may have been responsible for Wednesday night's fatal hit-and-run in Midtown.
According to police, it happened at 10:10 p.m. at the intersection of West 40th Street and 9th Avenue. Police say a woman in her mid 50s was struck and killed by a vehicle on a corner where several others have died over the years. The woman didn't have any identification with her so police are having trouble finding relatives to notify.
On Queens Boulevard, referred to by locals as "Boulevard of Death," another woman was struck and killed near 70th Street. The incident reportedly occurred just an hour earlier. The victim is believed to be in her 20s.
For years, people have been complaining about reckless driving on Queens Boulevard.
"The speed limit is 30 to 35 mph. But as you can see, people are going much faster," said an unidentified mailman. "It's more like the Long Island Expressway than a family road."
"Years ago, they were talking about doing an overpass down the block to slow things down, but they said it was too much money," said Forest Hills resident Ann Degennaro. "The money comes before the lives."
Meanwhile, police are still searching for the driver of a dark-colored van that mowed down 71-year-old Virginia Montalvo on Jamaica Avenue and 98th Street Monday night. The Woodhaven resident had been out collecting cans to give the money to charity.
In the hit-and-run on Manhattan's west side Tuesday night, police are trying to figure out if the garbage truck driver knew he had hit someone before he drove away. So far no charges have been filed.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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