1 critically injured in hit-and-run crash on near east side of Indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS — A man was critically injured in a hit-and-run crash on the near east side of Indianapolis Sunday night.

According to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, around 9:30 p.m., officers received a report that indicated a pedestrian had been struck by a motorist near the intersection of East New York Street and North Randolph Street. When police arrived at the scene, they located an adult male who had sustained multiple serious injuries lying in the street.

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IMPD reported that the man was transported from the scene to a local hospital in “critical but stable” condition. Police also indicated that the man was rushed into surgery as soon as he arrived at the hospital because he suffered multiple broken bones during the crash.

Police reported that they are still searching for the motorist who allegedly struck the pedestrian. Investigators have obtained doorbell camera video that may have captured the crash from multiple area residents. They hope to ascertain a suspect vehicle description from the footage.

IMPD’s crash investigators also responded to the scene. They are currently examining debris they found in the area to see if they can determine the make and model of the car that was involved in the crash.

Police believe the crash occurred while the pedestrian was attempting to walk northbound on Randolph Street and cross to New York Street. During a media briefing, IMPD Night Watch Captain John Arvin suggested recent changes made to New York Street’s traffic pattern may have been a factor in Sunday night’s crash.

According to a report from the City of Indianapolis, both Michigan and New York Streets are in the process of being converted from one-way roads into two-way streets.

“The big thing about this is, it just turned back into a two-way street,” Arvin said. “For years and years and years, it was a one-way street. What pedestrians need to realize is, you have to look both ways now. So, don’t just look downtown and go, ‘Nope, nothing coming,’ and start walking across the street because cars are also now eastbound on New York Street instead of just westbound.

“So that’s going to be a big factor or learning lesson we have to teach people over and over and over because Michigan is the same way. East Michigan Street is the same way now, it’s a two-way.”

The crash that occurred at the intersection of Randolph and New York Streets was one of two pedestrian-involved crashes that happened in a 15-minute span Sunday night.

The second crash involving a pedestrian happened at the intersection of North Keystone Avenue and East 36th Street around 8:42 p.m., according to public police reporting systems.

During his media briefing, Arvin identified the second crash victim as a man. He also indicated that the man was hospitalized with two broken legs after the crash.

Arvin said a lack of adequate street lighting may have been a factor in the crash at 36th Street and Keystone Avenue.

“The situation with that one is, that area is not quite as lit up as 34th and Keystone, (where) there’s a couple of gas stations and all that,” Arvin said. “But 36th, it’s a little bit darker up there, so when people are out and about, if you can’t cross at the corner, make sure you’re well-lit.

“I always tell people, carry a flashlight, those reflective vests, anything at night that you can wear that’s gonna help you shine out to the cars because in the areas that are really dark like that, they won’t be able to see you until their lights light you up. So, the more protective or reflective gear you can wear, the better off you’re gonna be.”

As of this article’s publication, no additional information on either of the crashes has been made available.