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Subscribe to RSSA 19-year-old driver faces charges for this hit and run accident that sent a teen to the hospital. Msnbc.com's Dara Brown reports.
Editor's note: The above video contains content that may be disturbing to some viewers.
A driver who struck a pedestrian, sent him flipping through the air, and then drove off has been caught -- both by Buffalo, N.Y., police and on city surveillance cameras -- and now, the dramatic footage has been made public.
"The footage is extremely graphic," Mayor Byron Brown said at a news conference Monday, adding that he was releasing it in response to a slew of hit-and-run accidents in the region recently. "The purpose for showing this video footage is to dramatize how dangerous hit and run accidents are."
The incident in the video happened last Thursday at about 3 a.m., reported NBC affiliate WGRZ.com. Three pedestrians are seen walking in the road in Buffalo's west side on the city surveillance video. The men scramble to the sidewalk as a car suddenly roars up behind them, striking one and coming within inches of the others. After getting hit by the car, the victim goes flying over the hood, and the car continues driving.
But not for long: Within minutes, police had arrested the suspect, 19-year-old Tornubari Gbaraba, thanks to descriptions of his vehicle from eyewitnesses, according to local reports.
"He was arrested and charged with assault in the first-degree, reckless driving and fleeing from a police officer," Daniel Derenda, Buffalo police commissioner, told reporters Monday.
The victim, Victor Jerez, 18, was taken to the hospital with multiple injuries, but has since been released, reported WGRZ.
Gbaraba is an exchange student from Nigeria, reported BuffaloNews.com. He's accused of leading police on a short car chase before being forced to the curb.
Police don't believe alcohol played a role in the hit-and-run, but they say they aren't sure if the victim was targeted, reported WKBW.com.
Last Thursday's incident was one of three hit-and-run crashes during an 18-hour span in the Buffalo area, reported BuffaloNews.com.
"My message is if you commit any kind of crime in the City of Buffalo, we are watching, we will not tolerate it, and it's just a matter of time before we will catch you and put you in jail for committing that crime," the mayor said.
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Leave a Comment:
Maybe they should add Attempted Vehicular Homicide (multiple counts as there were three pedestrians), Leaving the scene of an accident, reckless endangerment, and anything else they can think of.
Lock him up for the maximum, and then immediately deport him back to Nigeria (in shackles) when he's released. Assuming he survives prison.
Convict this guy. Jail him. Once his sentence is complete, deport him to back to Nigeria.
@XDm9mm & Motz in KC &
It would be a lot worse to just deport him back to Nigeria. Why spend all of that money just so he's allowed to live in what the vast majority of Nigerians would consider to be the lap of luxury for a number of years vs just sending him back to the hell hole that Nigeria is?
Ex exchange student.
Where did this kid get his liscense from??? What a piece of sh!t...
People who drive in such manner should be barred for life from having a drivers license. He could have easily killed all three. A complete lack of regard for others. And yes, a hefty prison term at hard labor for this crime. I'm thinking-7 years no parole.
Someone like this guy who just drives away like nothing happened aren't going to be stopped by jerking his license, he'll just drive without one. It happens all the time. He needs some serious jail time and then deportation. Committing a serious crime on a student visa rates at least that. I'm glad the young man who was hit is going to survive. But the fool in the car needs to go, asap!
I could watch that video all day bwahhahahahahahaha
That hospital bill is going to cost taxpayers a bundle.
... They weren't even in the street, they were on the sidewalk. Wtf?
After a long prison term send this dirt bag back to Nigeria, his family is probably part of all those Nigerian scams, that's why the dirt bag is here....
And Dr Knowitall you are right we will all be paying the bills!!What else is new...
He'll quit school and start driving a taxi like a maniac. School is just a ruse for coming here. Send him home where he can speed in a donkey cart.
I'm not trying to imply that it's the victim's fault, as it certainly is not in anyway... however, why in the world are they out walking around at 3am ?
he should be charged with attempted murder. they are not even in the street when he nails them. looks potentially deliberate.
The vehicle was on the sidewalk! People are allowed to walk almost anytime. Exceptions include curfew or quarantine. Operators are not allowed to commandeer passenger vehicles on sidewalks. I also hope that the list of charges for this non-driving mofo grows longer. No good measuring skid marks for speeding. I don't think he hit the brakes. Could use the video to calculate distance covered.
This ranks forty-second on my list of "How to Change Your Life for the Worse."
here's his facebook.
That did not look like an accident. My bets are the driver was out to get them or something.. Cause honestly, who drives like that when people are on the sidewalk right in front of them?
What a VIDEO SCENE. And it actually happened!! The Victum must have jumped up to avoid untold injuries and to stay alive !!!
That driver looked as if it was aiming at these 3 guys walking at the curb.