Collision with car sends pedestrian to the hospital

A possible hit-and-run sent one man to the hospital late Monday evening, authorities said.

A man said to be in his 60s was discovered laying on pavement between the L N M Services gas station and the Elks Lodge about 10 p.m., in a short alley which connects Front Street to parking lots located behind those buildings. Passersby told the Sentinel they'd found the man and called 911, but declined to be identified for the newspaper.

Paramedics transported the man to Wrangell Medical Center for treatment.

By 10:15 p.m., police officers and emergency medical technicians had swarmed the scene, placed the victim on a stretcher and into the back of an ambulance. No car was in evidence at the scene.

"We're still in the middle of the investigation," said Police Chief Doug McCloskey.

Authorities declined to release the victim's name, and declined to characterize the injured beyond approximate age and gender, or describe the vehicle involved in the collision, McCloskey said. The investigation was too preliminary Tuesday afternoon to say whether the collision would lead to any arrests, McCloskey added.

"I think we've got all that stuff tied up," he said. "It's just a matter of getting everyone to talk and investigate to find out exactly what happened."

"We don't really know where it's gonna lead," he added.

The area where passersby discovered the man is about 50 yards from the site where the borough Christmas tree is displayed annually, and is typically dark at night.

Authorities don't yet know whether alcohol was a factor in the collision, McCloskey said. While driving on the alley between the buildings isn't forbidden to motorists, drivers should pay attention, McCloskey added.