Photo: Jeff Kan Lee, Press DemocratThe troubling photo you see above is what was left of a man's wheelchair after he was hit by a driver early this morning in a crosswalk at the intersection of Guerneville Road and Range Avenue near the Coddingtown Mall in Santa Rosa. The 24-year-old driver initially fled the scene but returned a short while later with his father, according to the Press Democrat, which, despite the gruesome visual evidence and the fact the wheelchair user was in a crosswalk, still calls the event an "accident":
The victim was apparently southbound in a crosswalk on the east sideof the intersection of Guerneville Road and Range Avenue shortly after6 a.m. when he was hit and his crumpled chair thrust clear across theintersection where he was ejected onto the pavement, police said.
Hisshoes, a knit hat, a canvas bag and other belongings were flung acrossthe intersection, interspersed with broken headlights bits, a licenseplate and other car parts.
A passing semi driver came upon thescene in what would have been the dark before dawn and reported what hethought was a fallen pedestrian, authorities said.
Police are apparently having trouble finding witnesses. The driver was being interviewed by police but we don't know yet if he's been arrested, and whether he'll face any charges. Last we heard the victim was in surgery.
