A recent hit-and-run in Allerton nearly claimed the life of a middle aged woman.
The incident occurred just after 8 p.m. on Monday, March 7 at Williamsbridge Road between Waring and Mace avenues, when 47-year old Madeline Bengoches was struck by a vehicle traveling northbound.
Bengoches, a local resident who was crossing east to west on Williamsbridge Road, found herself stuck on the yellow double line, waiting for traffic to abate.
While waiting, Bengoches was hit by a white, four-door sedan traveling northbound on Williamsbridge Road.
Bengoches, who was hit by the front of a car and rolled onto the windshield and then over its roof, sustained severe trauma to the body, including a broken bone in her leg and fractures to her pelvic area.
After being on the ground for nearly half an hour, emergency medical services responded and took her to Jacobi Medical Center with severe injuries.
“She was on the pavement for a while,” said an employee from Mini Mart and Deli, located on the same block that Bengoches crossed from, who also added that one of his customers called for 911.
“He (the customer), along with others on the block, actually waited next to her on the street to make sure she didn’t get hit again, but it seemed like she was there for a while. A lot of cars just drove by like it was nothing – but it was a sad scene.”
“Something like this shouldn’t happen, especially not in this area,” another customer said, referring to the fact that there are three schools located within close vicinity of the accident, P.S. 89, Christopher Columbus High School and the New York Institute for Special Education, as well as Mazzei Playground, right next to P.S. 89.
“There should be more crosswalks – it’s a long stretch of road between (Waring and Mace avenues) and there should be more areas where pedestrians can cross safely.”
An investigation is ongoing, but no arrests have been made. NYPD did not release a sketch or the identity of the driver.
NYPD placed an electronic message board at the location where Bengoches was hit, requesting eyewitnesses to call NYPD Crime Stoppers at (800) 555-111.
