An elderly pedestrian crossing a Boyle Heights street on his seated scooter was critically injured Friday by a hit-and-run driver.

The man was crossing Mott Street at Whittier Boulevard when a vehicle struck him about 10:35 a.m., according to Officer Drake Madison of the Los Angeles Police Department.

He was knocked off his scoote, which the compact SUV dragged for half a block, Madison said.

The driver stopped and a witness helped him dislodge the scooter from the vehicle, then the man reentered and fled, according to Madison.

The vehicle is described as a silver Mazda CX-5, the Los Angeles Police Department’s Central Traffic Division reported. The driver is believed to be in his 40s, Madison said.

“The person hit my dad knowing that he caused the accident, and fled. Why would he do that? Why? Why wouldn’t he have the courage to assume responsibility? We all have to be good citizens,” the victim’s daughter, Olga Jordan, told KTLA5.

The victim was taken to a hospital in critical condition, police reported.

Anyone with information about the suspect was urged to call the Los Angeles Police Department at 213-626-LAPD. Those wishing to report anonymously can call 800-222-TIPS.

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