Man Critical After Hit And Run

A 49-year-old man who was struck in a pedestrian hit-and-run crash in Desert Hot Springs remains in critical condition today, police reported.

The man, whose name was withheld, was hit about 6:30 p.m. Wednesday by a sports utility vehicle on Palm Drive south of Hacienda Avenue, Sgt. Daniel Bressler of the Desert Hot Springs Police Department said.

The man, who had identification as an Oregon resident, was crossing Palm Drive toward the Kragen Auto Parts store outside a crosswalk when he was hit, Bressler said.

The vehicle was last seen driving through the Stater Bros. market parking lot at the southeast corner of Hacienda Avenue and Palm Drive, the sergeant said.

Bressler described the vehicle as a dark blue or purple 1989 Ford SUV, possibly an Explorer or Expedition, with left front damage.

There were signs that the vehicle had been in a prior accident.

Anyone with information about this vehicle was asked to call police at (760) 329-2904 ext. 2 or Crime Stoppers at (760) 341-7867.