Wednesday, August 5th, 2009
Celina teen hurt in hit-run accident
By Margie Wuebker
A 15-year-old Celina girl remained in critical condition this morning after being struck as she and a friend rode their bicycles in a crosswalk Tuesday night. The responsible motorist reportedly left the scene.
Caitlyn Miller, 1225 Brooke Ave., was rushed by ambulance to Mercer County Community Hospital in Coldwater and later transferred by CareFlight emergency helicopter to Children's Medical Center in Dayton. Miller, who suffered multiple fractures and possible internal injuries, remains under treatment in the intensive care unit.
Miller and her 15-year-old friend, Elizabeth Carr, 1414 Canterbury Drive, were crossing Fairground Road at Touvelle Street shortly before 9:10 p.m.
"They were attempting to travel in a southeasterly direction," Chief Dave Slusser told The Daily Standard. "The girls did everything right - they waited at the west corner of the intersection until the light turned and then entered the crosswalk."
The dark-colored, four-door car, possibly a Pontiac Grand Prix, was headed northwest on Touvelle with the driver attempting to turn west onto Fairground Road. In so doing, the female driver and lone occupant, missed the first bicyclist but struck Miller pedaling behind. The teen was thrown from the bicycle while the car drove from the scene without stopping.
Slusser said gouges were found in the pavement, but authorities are not certain at this point whether they are related to the accident.
Bulletins were issued to area law enforcement agencies asking them to be on the lookout for a dark-colored car with front-end damage. Police are asking anyone with information regarding the accident to contact them at 419-586-2345.
"I have a message for the driver," Slusser said. "We have witnesses and videotape and we're looking for you. We realize you were scared and made a bad decision. The best thing is to contact us and get this situation back on the right track."
He added coming forward and admitting to what happened will set much better with court officials than doing nothing and waiting for police to come knocking.
