Family of St. Louis man searching for answers after man hit by vehicle in Columbia
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The family of a St. Louis man is demanding justice after they say a family member was injured in a hit-and-run accident over the weekend.
Drew Schenk, 22 was in Columbia from St. Louis visiting a group of friends who attended the University of Missouri during the weekend, according to his sister Katelyn, and father Chris. Around 1:45 am Sunday, the two said Drew was crossing the intersection of North College Avenue and East Broadway when he was hit by a car.
Drew Schenk was released from the hospital the following morning with a concussion, scrapes and bruises along his legs, and a swollen thumb and knee.
"He was going to cross on the sidewalk legally, it was his turn and the car was making a left," Katelyn Schenk said. "So, (a driver) ran the red light, came up from behind him and hit him all over the right side and then sped off and left him there."
In a text message to ABC 17 News, Columbia Police Department spokeswoman Jenny Hopper said the department is treating the accident as a "leaving the scene" incident.
"I cannot confirm if we are still looking for the suspect or if they have been arrested," Hopper wrote.
Chris said he found out about the news after his wife, who was out of town at the time received a call.
"She was getting ready to catch a flight to come back to St. Louis that morning at like 6 o'clock," Chris Schenk said. "And, she said the hospital and the paramedics just called and said Drew has been hit by a car, he's in the hospital and I'm like what?"
Katelyn and Chris said they've been in contact with police, who haven't been able to provide more information since the accident occurred. The two said police informed them that the intersection lacks surveillance footage.
Katelyn and Chris said they've asked nearby businesses and Stephens College for footage.
According to Katelyn and Chris, a woman near the intersection the morning of the crash witnessed the crash, but didn't see who the driver was. They said the only information known to them is that the vehicle is allegedly a dark sedan. The woman waited with Drew until the paramedics arrived, Katelyn and Chris said.
Drew's father said the 22-year-old plays soccer at the University of Missouri St. Louis as a fifth year senior. He said this year would have been special for Drew, who suffered an injury last year and was unable to play. His hope is that the injuries from the crash don't prevent him from being able to play in his final year.
Katelyn said her heart breaks for her brother, who she described as loving.
"He's one of the most selfless, nicest boys you'd ever meet and he'd do anything for his friends," Katelyn Schenk said. "You never want to see anything like this happen to anybody, especially your brother."
Columbia Police Dispatch Logs show there have been 1,080 "leaving the scene" incidents across Columbia within the past year. Three of those were at the intersection of North College Avenue and East Broadway. A most recent incident at that intersection occurred on April 13, according to the log.
Katelyn and Chris said while they're grateful their loved one is okay, justice for Drew and preventing this from happening to someone else is their main focus.
"There's so many questions that we have... I mean obviously we wanna know how it all came about you know, I mean it's just not right I mean just to leave somebody there on the road," Chris Schenk said. "I mean, he could've gotten hit by another car if that lady wouldn't have stopped, he might not be here today."
