The life of a 6-year-old Connecticut girl hangs in the balance after a recent pedestrian accident in Bridgeport. It is the second occasion inside of a month where a young child has been the victim of a hit-and-run car crash on city streets. The latest incident occurred on Memorial Day as the girl and her 60-year-old aunt were in the process of walking across Washington Avenue at night. An SUV described as light colored reportedly struck both and took off. Police are working on leads to find the driver and have asked for the public to continue to help.

At last report, both the aunt and niece remained hospitalized, though the niece was apparently in significantly worse condition. For days following the accident, the girl could only breathe through a machine, though she opened her eyes after three days and was able to respond to questions on the following day. The aunt, who was understandably devastated over the injuries to her niece, was apparently in stable condition.

In the prior pedestrian accident, a 2-year-old boy was hit by a car on the last day of April at just about 9 p.m. His mother had just gotten him out of her car when he was struck. The boy was critically injured, though the nature of the injuries suffered and his updated medical condition were not disclosed.

Police are searching for both hit and run drivers. Presumably, criminal charges will be filed when the drivers are apprehended. Apart from any criminal proceedings, the families may elect to pursue civil litigation in Connecticut courts against the respective drivers from each car crash. Those proceedings must be based upon proof of negligence that is deemed to have caused or contributed to the accidents. If established by competent proof, our courts will entertain demands for reimbursement of monetary damages sustained, including medical costs as well as pain and suffering endured.

Source: ctpost.com, “A ‘miracle’ sought for hit-and-run victim,” Dennis J. O’Malley, June 1, 2013