Rochester Man Killed During Hit and Run Crash; Legislators Push Tougher Hit and Run Penalties
By: Ali Touhey
Updated: March 6, 2013
Rochester, NY--A father of two is dead after a fatal hit and run crash. The accident happened on North Goodman Street near the High Street intersection just after 11 p.m., Monday night.
Rochester Police say 37-year-old Harry Andrews was standing on the side of the road, putting gas into an S-U-V when he was struck by a car. The driver drove off and didn't call for help. Harry's grandmother told News 8 he was funny and loved spending time with his sons and his friends, and she wants the person responsible for his death to come forward.
Dinners around her dining room table aren't going to be the same without her grandson, Harry.
"I'm just going to miss him being here," Luella said. "I'm going to miss him being here altogether."
Harry lived with his grandmother.
"He was a working guy," Luella described. "He enjoyed his friends, really enjoyed being with his friends."
Luella said she was in her back bedroom reading her Bible Monday night when she heard the crash.
She only wishes she saw something, too.
"I would appreciate it if someone would come forward."
Cases like this are one more reason why legislators are hoping people think twice about driving off after an accident without reporting it.
Several weeks ago, the Senate passed S2503, legislation that increases the penalty for drivers who leave the scene of an accident from a misdemeanor to a felony.
"In today's day and age, you'd think with so many people around, these would be decreasing," expressed Senator Joseph Robach. "Unfortunately, they seem to be on the rise. Hopefully, this will turn in the other direction." The Assembly still needs to vote on a companion bill, but Republican Assemblyman Mark Johns of Fairport said he'd support it. He said penalties should be equal for those who leave the scene of a crash versus those who stay.
In Harry's case, since the charge would be for fleeing the scene of a fatal accident, the new legislation would increase the charge from a D felony to a tougher, Class C felony.
Luella's praying police catch who ever is responsible.
"My faith alone will help me get through this."
So far, there have been no arrests in the case.
Rochester Police say 37-year-old Harry Andrews was standing on the side of the road, putting gas into an S-U-V when he was struck by a car. The driver drove off and didn't call for help. Harry's grandmother told News 8 he was funny and loved spending time with his sons and his friends, and she wants the person responsible for his death to come forward.
Dinners around her dining room table aren't going to be the same without her grandson, Harry.
"I'm just going to miss him being here," Luella said. "I'm going to miss him being here altogether."
Harry lived with his grandmother.
"He was a working guy," Luella described. "He enjoyed his friends, really enjoyed being with his friends."
Luella said she was in her back bedroom reading her Bible Monday night when she heard the crash.
She only wishes she saw something, too.
"I would appreciate it if someone would come forward."
Cases like this are one more reason why legislators are hoping people think twice about driving off after an accident without reporting it.
Several weeks ago, the Senate passed S2503, legislation that increases the penalty for drivers who leave the scene of an accident from a misdemeanor to a felony.
"In today's day and age, you'd think with so many people around, these would be decreasing," expressed Senator Joseph Robach. "Unfortunately, they seem to be on the rise. Hopefully, this will turn in the other direction." The Assembly still needs to vote on a companion bill, but Republican Assemblyman Mark Johns of Fairport said he'd support it. He said penalties should be equal for those who leave the scene of a crash versus those who stay.
In Harry's case, since the charge would be for fleeing the scene of a fatal accident, the new legislation would increase the charge from a D felony to a tougher, Class C felony.
Luella's praying police catch who ever is responsible.
"My faith alone will help me get through this."
So far, there have been no arrests in the case.
