June 6, 2008
By Stephen Singer

Police in Hartford, Connecticut have released a chilling surveillance video of a hit-and-run accident which, they hope, will identify the Honda driver who ran down a 78-year-old pedestrian.

Worse, it shows the callousness of bystanders who did nothing to help Angel Arce Torres as he lay motionless in the street (the video was on YouTube but was removed early this morning).

The gripping 60-second video shows the May 30 accident and bystanders' lack of sympathy. Nobody rushes to help Torres and nobody bothers to stop traffic as he lies in the street.

In the video, Torres is seen walking in the two-way street at 5:45pm after buying milk at a local shop. He is struck by a dark Honda that was apparently chasing a tan Toyota.

Both cars dart down a side street as Torres falls.

Several more vehicles pass the critically injured man and a few people stare from the pavement. Some approach him but most stay put until a police car, responding to an unrelated call, arrives.

Moral values

Police said the video showed a city that had lost its moral compass. Police Chief Daryl Roberts said:

"We've got to look at ourselves and understand that our moral values have changed. We have no regard for each other."

Torres is paralysed and in a "critical" condition in Hartford Hospital. - Sapa-AP