Authorities are looking for a white van that hit and 47-year-old man trying to cross a Bronx street Monday and fled the scene.
Police say the van hit the man, identified as Thomas Kirby, near Willis Avenue and Bruckner Boulevard in the Bronx shortly after 6:30 a.m. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Kirby, a father of three, was feet away from his apartment building when he was hit while crossing Bruckner Boulevard, according to a family friend. He was looking forward to celebrating the holidays and his 48th birthday.
"Whoever did this, I hope they get caught," said Marivel Alicea, who was consoling Kirby's wife and children Monday.
"She's heartbroken upstairs, and his youngest son Kyle is devastated," she said. "He wants his father and she wants her husband back."
"Life gone, family, everyone going through a lot a right now," said family friend Michael Alicea.
The intersection of Bruckner and Willis is too dark and dangerous, residents complain.
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"It's very dangerous, especially for kids," said neighbor David Ortiz of Mott Haven, who said he was hit by a car just last week. "You try to cross the street and they won't stop."
Police have posted wanted flyers for the suspect vehicle around the neighborhood.
