HARTFORD -- Police have named a person of interest in a hit-and-run just before Thanksgiving that left a man seriously injured.
Police are looking for Ralph McGriff, 52, of Hartford. McGriff is wanted for questioning for a pedestrian accident in which the car left the scene. Police said McGriff is known to frequent the area of 560 Park St. in Hartford and has an extensive criminal history.
On Tuesday, police found the Chrysler Town & Country minivan that is suspected of hitting the victim.
"The van is going to lend itself very well to our investigation. We’re going to look at DNA evidence that potentially exists on it," said Hartford Police Department Deputy Chief Brian Foley.
The victim suffered from broken legs, arms and a head injury, according to police. He is at St. Francis Hospital. According to police, the man's injuries are no longer considered to be life threatening.
The incident happened near 333 Homestead Ave. three days before Thanksgiving. The victim, a resident at the Adult Rehabilitation Center, was legally crossing the street in the crosswalk in front of the Salvation Army building when the tan Chrysler Town & Country minivan hit him and sent him flying in the air. He landed 150 feet from the point of impact.
According to police, the minivan operator pulled into a parking lot a short distance from the impact, then left the lot and continued east on Homestead Avenue and out of sight of the camera.
"It worked out the way it should. Someone did something bad, we got video of that, we put the video out, media shared it, and then we got citizen tips on where this van could be found and where the gentleman could be found," said Foley.
Police area asking if anyone has information on McGriff's whereabouts to contact detectives at 860-757-4089.