Out-of-town woman struck in State College hit-and-run

A woman’s injuries sustained from a hit-and-run crash early Saturday morning are not life threatening, State College police said late Saturday afternoon.

However, Andrea Velarde, 20, of Hackensack, N.J., was still at UPMC Altoona at that time.

According to a news release, police responded to the scene of a hit-and-run vehicle-pedestrian crash at 2:17 a.m. Saturday at the intersection of East Prospect Avenue and South Garner Street.

Upon police arrival, officers noticed debris at the scene, but the pedestrian who was stuck was not on the roadway, the report said.

The report said friends of the victim picked up her body from the middle of the road and set her on a nearby sidewalk to prevent other vehicles from striking her.

Other friends also reportedly put jackets over her body to keep her warm.

Police said Velarde was found breathing, but unconscious after the alleged incident.

Weather conditions at the time of the crash were described by police as light flurries, about 10 degrees, with high winds from the north. Police say the road was lightly covered with a dusting of blowing snow.

Lt. Brad Smail said though there were several people in the area during the time of the crash, only one male witness reportedly saw what happened.

The witness indicated to police that Velarde was crossing Garner Street in the crosswalk from the west to the east side of Prospect Avenue.

The impact reportedly occurred near the double yellow lines as the vehicle traveled south on Garner Street.

The witness also told police the car was traveling at a high rate of speed, but police could not confirm whether the driver was speeding.

Others reported to police they did not see the crash, but heard what they thought was the impact of the car against Velarde.

“The information indicates that the driver would have known that they had stuck something,” Smail said. “I don’t think there’s a question about that.”

The vehicle that allegedly hit the victim was described as a light silver or gray sedan that fled south on Garner Street.

Police said the vehicle likely sustained damage to the front end, windshield and/or hood.

“The vehicle is also going to be missing a windshield wiper,” police said.

However, Smail said there is no way to match the wiper found on the road to a specific vehicle.

The woman was transported from the scene by ambulance to UPMC Altoona.

The 600 block of Garner Street was closed for more than two hours while the scene was processed.

“From what we know, her injuries don’t seem to be life threatening at this time, but we’re not stopping the investigation,” Smail said. “Even if you know the smallest thing, we encourage someone to please call us.”

Police said Velarde was in the area visiting friends.

The police report said a crash re-constructionist will have more precise measurements of where the vehicle stuck the victim.

Anyone with information is asked to contact State College police at 234-7150.

This story was originally published February 13, 2016 at 11:24 AM with the headline "Out-of-town woman struck in State College hit-and-run."