BROOKINGS – A 20-year-old Brookings man was found injured in the street late last month. Brookings Police determined the pedestrian was hit by a vehicle and are looking for it.
Police were called at 12:48 a.m. June 28 to the 100 block of Sixth Avenue, which is the area of the viaduct, Assistant Police Chief Derrick Powers said.
“A passerby had found an individual laying in the road. He was partway on the road and partway on the sidewalk with injuries to his face and head. The individual was conscious, but unresponsive,” Powers said.
The Brookings Ambulance transported the man to the hospital, and he was later airlifted to Sioux Falls for treatment of his injuries, he added.
“We have actually been able to visit with him since the accident and follow up with the individual,” he said.
“Through the continuing investigation, we had found that prior to him being injured, he had been walking southbound on Sixth Avenue, under the viaduct,” Powers said.
“We believe (his injuries are) consistent with being hit by a vehicle. … It’s not consistent with just falling,” Powers said. “We believe he was hit by a vehicle which was driving by. And the vehicle didn’t stop,” he added.
“We’re trying to, at this point, identify the vehicle that may have been involved in this accident,” Powers said.
Police believe the accident happened between 12:20 and 12:30 a.m. “a short time before the passerby came across the 20-year-old male who was injured, and we’ve been able to determine that the passerby wasn’t involved in an accident with the individual,” Powers said.
“One vehicle that was seen in this area is described as a white, larger SUV, either Suburban or Tahoe-type vehicle,” Powers said. It was seen in the area during the time frame traveling south under the viaduct bridge.
“The investigation’s continuing and just looking for any information someone may have pertaining to this,” Powers said.
If anyone has information about this case, contact the Brookings Police at 605-692-2113, contact Crimestoppers anonymously by visiting www.brookingsareacrimestoppers.comor call 605-692-STOP (7867).
