by Timothy Rutt
The husband of the woman who allegedly ran her SUV into a 13-year-old boy, breaking his pelvis before leaving the scene, has come forward, according to the boy's father.
Vendale Joseph, Sr., said that he has been contacted by the husband of the SUV's driver, who left them with insurance and contact information.
On May 1, according to Joseph, the SUV hit his son, 13-year-old Vendale Joseph, Jr., while making a right turn at the intersection of New York Avenue and Hill Street. The boy, who was walking home following band practice at Eliot Middle School, managed to make his way to the sidewalk where the female driver asked if he was OK. When he said he was, the driver said that she had to take her daughter to an after-school class but would return.
According to the elder Joseph, his son was making his way back to his home near Allen Avenue and Woodbury Road when the driver of the gray GMC SUV stopped again and asked if he was OK. She asked for his phone number and said she had to drop her son off to a karate lesson, but didn't call again.
By the time the younger Joseph had made it home, he was "hopping," and crying, Joseph Sr. said. He was hospitalized for a broken pelvis.
The Joseph family stood at the intersection of the accident with signs on Thurs., May 3, asking for information if anyone had seen the accident. Following a day of press coverage Friday, Joseph Sr. said that the driver's husband called, saying he'd seen the reports, and gave them his information.
Young Joseph was discharged from the hospital Friday Joseph Sr. said. "He's only 13, he's a brave little boy ... He's feeling good right now, he's glad to be home, he'll probably be down for 5-8 weeks The doctor says he's still growing, he'll probably heal on his own without putting in screws or a plate or something. I'm glad he's alive."
Joseph Sr. also wanted to express his thanks to everyone who helped them. As for the next step, he says the family is seeking legal counsel. "That's where we go from here, we will press charges -- it's just not right."
NOTE: We've changed the headline because we're not sure if it counts as a hit-and-run if the driver keeps coming back, even if she doesn't identify herself.
