Mother of hit and run victim asks driver to come forward
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH)–The mother of an Indianapolis hit and run victim said her daughter is not expected to survive.
The victim’s family is asking the driver to turn themselves in to police.
“You just left her laying there, and you can’t say that you didn’t know that you hit her,” mother Pamela Grant said to reporters outside the IU Health Methodist Hospital.
Inside the hospital, Grant said her daughter was clinging to life. Tanya Turman was hit by a red SUV late last month. She suffered severe brain damage and broken multiple bones.
The car is believed to be a 1992-1999 Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon or a Chevrolet Suburban. It likely has some damage on the front end and gray trim on the lower half.
“You just left her like a dead dog in the street,” Grant said Saturday. “Now I have to go in there and I have to let my baby go.”
The hit and run happened on Bolton Avenue, where neighbor Cherrise Norris waited with Tanya until an ambulance came.
Turman’s family is planning a prayer vigil at the intersection. They are still deciding the date and time.
“I’ll definitely be there,” Norris said. “Everybody should come out and support this mother.”
Norris said she has been keeping an eye out for the red SUV.
Police released a video of the incident to generate tips. Turman, who is deaf and partially blind, was walking to the bus stop.
“I know she’s going to heaven,” Grant said. “I know she is. And she’s going to be able to hear. She’s going to be able to talk. And she’s going to be able to walk.”
Grant has asked Tanya’s friends to respect the family’s privacy at this time. She said no visitors are allowed at the hospital.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 317-262-TIPS.
