Pedestrian hurt in Hempstead Turnpike hit-run

A man was hit by a car as he tried to cross Hempstead Turnpike in Franklin Square late Wednesday, and police are searching for the driver.

The man, who is 60 and whose name wasn't released, was taken by helicopter to Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow for treatment of multiple internal injuries, and injuries to his extremities, police said.

A man matching the description of the victim was in critical but stable condition Thursday, a hospital spokeswoman said.

The Nassau County Police Homicide Unit is investigating the crash, which occurred about 11:15 p.m., just west of Scherer Boulevard. A green sedan traveling east hit the man and the driver fled, police said.

Detectives ask that anyone with information about the crime call Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 800-244-TIPS. Callers remain anonymous.

In a report released last week, the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, a transportation advocacy group, released its annual study of the region's most dangerous roads for pedestrians. Hempstead Turnpike topped the group's list for fourth time since 2008. The report found that the highway had 15 pedestrian fatalities between 2008 and 2010.

Last month, Newsday published a series of stories about pedestrian safety on Hempstead Turnpike in Nassau County that showed 32 pedestrians were killed along Hempstead Turnpike in Nassau County between 2005 and 2010.

At least three more people were killed in 2011.

Nearly 430 people were injured in almost 460 pedestrian crashes on the 16-mile stretch of Hempstead Turnpike in Nassau County, according to an analysis of police reports. The latest accident was in that stretch.

In mid-February, a 72-year-old man died from injuries he suffered when he was struck by a car on Hempstead Turnpike, also known as Route 24, in Elmont. Police have yet to release the man's identity pending notification of next of kin.

After reading the Newsday stories last month, New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Joan McDonald announced that she wanted short-term fixes and long-term solutions to the pedestrian-safety problems along the turnpike.

Saying that "safety is our top priority," McDonald ordered DOT engineers to consider specific improvements and report back to her in 30 to 60 days.

McDonald said she wanted engineers to consider closing gaps in medians where vehicles can now turn, and restrictions on parking and red-light cameras. She also said DOT should consider installing crosswalks signals at intersections along the road where they don't exist now.

At the same time, Nassau County police commanders promised beefed-up patrols and enforcement of traffic laws on Hempstead Turnpike around sections prone to pedestrian crashes. Legislators at the county, state and federal level called for additional study and funding for changes to make Hempstead Turnpike safer for pedestrians.