Hit-and-run car sought

A Cadillac might have been speeding when it struck a pedestrian

Police are looking for the driver of a black Cadillac Escalade that jumped a curb in front of the Aloha Tower Marketplace and hit a 39-year-old man on the sidewalk yesterday.

Suspect Vehicle » Cadillac Escalade » Black » Tinted windows » Chrome rims » Low-profile tires Possible damage to: » Right front rim and tire » Right hood, bumper and/or fender

The driver stopped after hitting the man and then drove away, police said.

Police said the Escalade might have been speeding as it was traveling in the right lane of Nimitz Highway headed Diamond Head at 2:07 a.m.

The victim suffered head and torso injuries, and was reported in critical condition at the Queen's Medical Center.

Witnesses gave police a description of the Escalade, but were unable to get the vehicle's license plate number.

Witness accounts are key in hit-and-run cases, said police Sgt. Alan Vegas of the vehicular homicide section. Police have said that more eyes and ears at the scene mean more leads.

"Just like any other case, especially a criminal case when they initially occur, an eyewitness account is very valuable," Vegas said.

Yesterday's accident is the seventh nonfatal hit-and-run case this year. The previous six cases remain unsolved. In 2007, police opened 22 nonfatal hit-and-run cases, 18 of which are still unsolved.

Since 2004, there have been 11 unsolved hit-and-run deaths.

Yesterday's crash was the second serious hit-and-run crash this week.

Police are still looking for the driver of a light-colored sport-utility vehicle that caused the death of a 79-year-old man Wednesday night.

The man was crossing Dillingham Boulevard near the Kaaahi Street intersection, and was outside of a crosswalk when he was struck.

The victim fell into the path of another vehicle, which dragged him about 30 feet. The city Medical Examiner's Office is not yet releasing the man's identity.

Anyone with information on either accident is asked to call vehicular homicide detectives at 529-3499.