BY ANGELA MATUA AND ROBERT POZARYCKI
Updated April 11, 1:00 p.m.
Police released video of the driver who fatally hit a 45-year-old man when he crossed an Astoria street on Wednesday night.
The accident occurred at 10:56 p.m. near the intersection of 30th Road and 21st Street.
According to authorities, the victim― whose identity was not disclosed pending family notification― was crossing 21st Street when he was struck by a dark-colored sedan traveling southbound on the roadway.
Police said the vehicle fled the location before officers from the 114th Precinct and EMS units responded to the scene.
Paramedics brought the victim, who suffered severe body trauma, to Elmhurst Hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.
The NYPD Collision Investigation Squad is conducting the inquiry, police said.
City Councilman Costa Constantinides said in a statement Thursday he was saddened to learn of the accident, but noted that he and community members have long sought a traffic light at the location where it took place.
“Since 2014, we have been speaking with DOT about traffic safety measures on this corner,” Constantinides said. “The lack of a traffic light here is exacerbated by the surroundings, including the Variety Boys & Girls Club, where children attend programs and classes every day. This fatality punctuates the great need for traffic safety measures at this intersection, one that our community has known for years.”
Constantinides repeated his call that the DOT conduct a traffic study and ultimately install a traffic signal at the corner of 21st Street and 30th Road.
Meanwhile, anyone with information regarding the accident or the whereabouts of the vehicle involved is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (for Spanish speakers, dial 888-57-PISTA), visit their website or send a text message to 274637 (CRIMES), then enter TIP577. All calls and messages are kept confidential.
