Short summary: A speeding Corvette crashed into a Mercedes-Benz and hit a pedestrian in Inwood, Manhattan early Thursday, and the driver of the Mercedes ran off on foot before police arrived. If you're ever hurt by a driver who flees, you generally still have options, but the clock moves faster than most people expect.
It happened just after 6:30 a.m. at Sherman Avenue and West 204th Street. Police say a Corvette heading east at a high rate of speed slammed into a Mercedes-Benz SUV at the intersection, then struck a 34-year-old pedestrian before coming to rest near a building.
The Corvette's driver, a 27-year-old man, was arrested and charged with reckless endangerment, reckless driving, and aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle. His license had already been suspended. He and his passenger were taken to Harlem Hospital, where they're listed in stable condition. So was the pedestrian who got hit.
The second driver is still missing
Here's the part that matters most if you're a New Yorker reading this: the driver of the Mercedes got out of his car and ran. Police are still looking for him.
That turns this from one crash into two separate legal problems. There's the Corvette driver who's already facing charges. And there's a second driver nobody can find yet, who may share responsibility for what happened.
Investigators are also looking into whether the two cars may have been drag racing before the crash. If that's confirmed, it could change who's on the hook and how.
What to do if the driver who hit you disappears
Report it right away
Call 911 and get an NYPD report filed, even if you're not sure who was at fault. That report becomes the foundation of any claim you file later.
Don't wait on medical care
Get checked out the same day, even if you feel fine. Adrenaline hides pain, and gaps in treatment give insurers a reason to doubt your claim later. Our guide on physical therapy after a crash covers what typically comes next.
Look into uninsured motorist coverage
When a driver flees and is never identified, your own policy's uninsured motorist coverage generally becomes your path to compensation. We break this down in Hit-and-Run or Uninsured Driver: What Now.
Get advice before you're locked into anything
New York's no-fault deadlines move fast, and they don't pause because a driver ran. Our 30-day no-fault deadline guide explains what's due and when.
Questions New Yorkers ask us
What happens if the driver who hit me is never caught?
You generally aren't out of options. Your own auto policy's uninsured motorist coverage is built for exactly this, and it can pay for injuries a fleeing driver caused. Deadlines vary by situation, so it's worth getting advice now rather than waiting.
Can I still file a claim if I was a passenger, not a driver?
Yes, generally. Passengers hurt in a crash like this one typically have a claim against whichever driver or drivers caused it, separate from anything the drivers themselves are dealing with.
Does it matter that the drivers might have been racing?
It can. Racing or reckless conduct can affect fault and, in some cases, open up additional avenues for a claim. An adjuster or attorney can walk you through what it means for your specific situation.
Not sure where you stand after a crash? Get your free case review or call (347) 526-1246. A real person answers, 24/7.
Reporting: CBS New York.
