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Police arrest driver accused in Downtown hit-and-run crash that hurt another driver, worker

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Posted at 5:27 AM, Apr 18, 2019
and last updated 2019-04-18 17:03:22-04

CINCINNATI — A driver and a person working on a Downtown street were hurt in a hit-and-run crash early Thursday morning after another driver ran a red light, police said.

A driver in a Nissan Sentra was driving north on Main Street, ran a red light and hit a Nissan Xterra going west on Eighth Street, according to police. The Xterra then ran into a 26-year-old man who was working outside his parked van, police said.

The Sentra driver got out of the car and ran away from the scene, police said. Officials later identified the driver as 27-year-old Rashad Allen. He's been arrested and is charged with vehicular assault and leaving the scene of a crash, as well as "numerous" misdemeanor and felony warrants, police said.

The 26-year-old worker's right leg was severed, according to police. First responders drove him to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. He remains hospitalized in serious condition, police said. Officers at the scene initially said he worked for a Metropolitan Sewer District subcontractor. However, MSD officials said his employer, Televac, was working for a company on a private development job.

"Our thoughts are with the employee and the Televac family, and we hope for a speedy recovery," MSD spokesperson Deb Leonard wrote in a news release.

In a written statement, Televac president Joe McCauley said "the Televac family suffered a great tragedy" when the employee was injured in the hit-and-run crash.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with [the employee] and his family during this difficult time," McCauley said. "We would like to thank all the first responders and medical staff for their quick response and continued treatment."

The 33-year-old driver of the Nissan Xterra was also driven to UCMC with minor injuries to the head and face. He has since been released.

Excessive speed is a possible factor in the crash, police said. They weren't yet sure if impairment was a factor.

The crash happened at about 2 a.m. at the intersection of Eighth and Main Streets. Police reopened the intersection before 6:30 a.m.

Police asked any witnesses to call the Traffic Unit at 513-352-2514.

WCPO will update this story.