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Tourist hurt in hit-and-run in Garapan
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Posted on Aug 28 2019
A female tourist became a hit-and-run victim as she was crossing the pedestrian crosswalk by the DFS T-Galleria in Garapan last Monday.
According to a Department of Public Safety statement yesterday, the unnamed female tourist, accompanied by her husband, were about the cross the street after the pedestrian sign lit up, signaling that it was safe to cross. Before crossing, the couple took a second look at the traffic lights, making sure that the traffic lights were on red and cars were on stop, and it was safe to cross. As the couple proceeded to cross, a car ran the red light and drove near the victim, running over her left foot.
The victim fell. Her husband picked her up and the two limped to a nearby business establishment to call 911.
According to DPS spokesperson Adrian Pangelinan, the victim declined to be taken to the hospital. He said that officers spoke with eyewitnesses and the couple, and they were not able to recall the license plate of the vehicle. However, they were able to identify the vehicle as a beige-colored older model Toyota Camry.
The DPS statement said that police were dispatched to the scene at about 6:38pm after a 911 call, reporting the hit-and-run.
“At this time the case is still being investigated and DPS is looking at every possible way to identify the vehicle,” Pangelinan said.
Those with information about the incident are encouraged to call 911 or the CNMI Crime Stoppers hotline at (670) 234-7272.
According to the Saipan Tribune archives, last June 8, 2018 twin brothers Anthony and Vicente Muña attempted to snatch the purse of a walking tourist in southern Garapan, but were unsuccessful and ended up hitting her with their car instead. The pair tried to snatch the purses of two female tourists who were walking along the shoulder of the road.
Police were able to identify and apprehend the two from video evidence provided by a nearby store’s surveillance camera that captured the hit-and-run.
