Lakewood police seek driver who hurt drunk man
Lakewood police on Thursday were searching for the driver of an SUV that hit and severely injured an intoxicated man who stepped into the street.
The man suffered a collapsed lung, fractured foot and several scrapes.
The incident occurred at 1:50 a.m. outside a convenience store in the 3500 block of 92nd Street South.
Witnesses told officers the man was clearly drunk and trying to fight people outside the store. After trying to brawl with people inside an SUV, the man began walking east on 92nd Street toward the Sage Terrace apartments.
Police said the man had earphones on and was staring at the ground when he suddenly stepped into the street and was struck by the SUV, which tried to swerve out of the way.
“At this point, it looks like an accident,” Lt. Chris Lawler said.
The driver slowed but did not stop after hitting the man.
The SUV was a dark Ford Explorer or Mercury Mountaineer and likely has damage to the front driver’s side. Officers were trying to get surveillance video from the convenience store. Police also were trying to identify the victim, whom witnesses knew only as J-Rock.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Police Department at 253-830-5000 or the tip line at 253-830-5064.
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thenewstribune.com
