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Police: Hit-and-run impact may have broken Northside girl’s legs

Posted at 11:46 PM, Mar 22, 2013
and last updated 2013-03-23 00:28:39-04

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) -- Kids play near Charity Street in Gilpin Court regularly as cars speed through.

People living here say that’s what they deal with on a daily basis and say it was only a matter of time before someone got seriously hurt.

“It makes my adrenaline pump,” said one neighbor who didn’t want to give his name.  “I always say ‘Oh, they’re about to get hit.’"

And Friday afternoon it happened to a 9-year-old girl just like that, hit by a driver who police say didn't stop to help.  "She just got off the bus," said that neighbor.

"It's not her fault: she's nine years-old, playing in her neighborhood,” said Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority Police Chief Hal Hazelton. “We have speed limits for a reason. We have stop signs for a reason.  Whoever this guy is, we will find him."

Gilpin Court Hit-and-Run

The RRHA police say the driver blew through a stop sign and kept going.   But what he might not have realized is there's a camera right there and it may all be caught on surveillance.

"We are looking for a cream-colored or primer-colored Chevy Malibu-type of vehicle, and there's a single driver, black male with short dreadlocks," said Hazelton.

Police say the impact may have broken both of the girl's legs.

One grandparent we spoke to, who also didn't want to give his name says it's time adults living in this community write down the license plates of those speeding through, to help police put the brakes on the problem,  before it costs a child her life.

“Need to be more supervision out here on the street,” he said.  “These kids cross, they're alert, but not always.”

If you have information that could help police, call the RRHA Police Tipline at 804-780-4006 or Crime Stoppers at 804-780-1000.

Stay with CBS 6 News and WTVR.com for updates on this developing story.