Driver in "unusual" hit-and-run case surrenders to police

A driver who struck a girl in a crosswalk this morning, and then drove her around while looking for a hospital before dropping her off at a store, has turned himself in to police.

The driver turned himself in around 12:30 p.m., according to Sgt Robert Goetz of the Everett Police Department. Goetz said the 39-year-old man has chosen not to speak to police about his actions.

Goetz said police were detaining the man for the hit and run.

Although police did not immediately have specifics on the girl's condition, she is reported to be doing fine, he said.

"Thank goodness she's OK," Goetz. "This has definitely been an unusual one."

According to police, the driver was turning onto Cady Road from Pecks Drive around 8 a.m. when he struck the 9-year-old girl as she was walking to school. The driver got out of his car, picked up the girl and told witnesses that he was taking her to the hospital, police said.

A flagger in the 5000 block of Evergreen Way said the driver stopped and asked for directions to the hospital.

The woman did not know and went to a ask a co-worker, but when she returned the driver was gone, police said.

By that time police had been notified and alerted all hospitals in the area to be on the lookout for the victim. Other law-enforcement agencies were also asked to try to locate the vehicle and victim.

Police learned that the girl had been dropped off at the Aurora Village Mart near Shoreline at around 8:40 a.m. after a clerk at the store called 911.

The driver left after dropping the girl off.

The child was taken to Harborview Medical Center; police said her injuries do not appear to be life-threatening.

Aster Selassie, was working at the Aurora Village Mart at 20003 Aurora Ave. N., around 8:30 a.m. when she heard a child crying.

"She came in the store and she was covered with blood and she was crying and asking for help," Selassie said. "She said, 'Somebody hit me and drove me here.' "

Selassie called 911 and was talking to dispatchers when police and medics arrived.

Medics told her that the child will likely recover.

"She will be OK, they said. I hope she will be OK," Selassie said.

The store is about 13.3 miles from the accident scene.

Police alerted the media and issued a description of the driver and the car he may have been driving.

Christine Clarridge: 206-464-8983 or cclarridge@seattletimes.com