Two pedestrians are dead following two separate vehicle accidents that took place Saturday on St. Croix, according to the V.I. Police Department. In both cases the drivers, fled the scene without rendering assistance to the injured victims.
The first accident occurred in the vicinity of the Golden Rock Shopping Center. According to the preliminary police report, at about 7:15 p.m. officers found the victim, later identified as 79-year-old Theodore Phillip of JFK housing community, lying in the right east bound lane of the roadway. A concerned citizen told police the victim was crossing the road when a trailer that was attached to a truck clipped the victim, causing him to fall. Then an SUV that was a few cars behind the trailer ran over the victim.
Both vehicles left the scene.
The victim was taken to the Gov. Juan F. Luis Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The second accident occurred less than two hours later, at about 8:30 p.m. on Constitution Hill road. Police were notified by 911 dispatch of a male lying in the grass on the shoulder of the road.
Medical personnel who arrived at the scene said the victim was unresponsive and appeared to have been struck by a vehicle.
The victim was later identified as 54-year-old Socorro Parrilla of Constitution Hill.
A resident of the area told police that they heard a loud noise and when she looked outside she saw a small vehicle slow down and then speed up.
Police urged the drivers of the vehicles involved in the accidents to identify themselves to police. Officers consider many factors in the investigation of these accidents, including lighting, condition of the road and other issues. Police also advise any person involved in accidents involving pedestrians or other vehicles not to flee the scene.
All auto body and repair shops are urged to contact police if a vehicle is brought to them with damages that may indicate they have been involved in a hit and run.
