DERRY — Police are searching for a driver who struck an 11-year-old girl on her bicycle Wednesday afternoon and then drove away.
Jade Catizone was riding her bicycle with a cousin at approximately 5:45 p.m. on Wednesday near Franklin Street when she was struck from behind by the driver, who had swerved to avoid striking the girl, but ended up hitting her with the front passenger side of the vehicle before leaving the scene.
Heather Catizone said her daughter was heading to Hood Park to play basketball with her cousin.
She said her daughter heard the car coming from behind and after the accident, the driver stopped a moment then drove away.
"She didn't see him coming," Catizone said, adding the front passenger side of the car hit her daughter and may have some damage.
The girl was knocked to the ground, but managed to call her father and then gave a description of the hit and run driver to the police. Her injuries are not serious, her mother said.
"Thank God she had her cell phone," Catizone said, adding her daughter is still a little "shook up" but doing okay. The cousin was not injured.
The driver was described as a young male, perhaps in his 20s. He was driving a teal blue-colored sports car.
Although there is little information known about the driver, Derry Police Capt. Vernon Thomas urges anyone with information about the accident to call 432-6111.
