Pueblo hit-and-run crashes exceed 1,000 in 2016

The Pueblo Police Department reported a drastic increase in hit-and-run crashes in 2016 compared to the previous two years.

The department states a 24 percent increase the past year compared to 2014 and 2015. There were 1,034 reported crashes in 2016. That's compared to 906 in 2015 and 816 in 2014.

The three-year increase averages out to about 90 hit-and-run crashes per month, or three per day.

Pueblo Police wanted to use these statistics to remind the public of a hit-and-run suspect that remains at large.

One hit-and-run crash left a male victim in serious condition after he was struck by a driver as he rode his bike. Police are still looking for 21-year-old Mariah Apodaca who is the suspected driver who struck the bicyclist and left the scene of the crash.

If anyone has information on Apodaca's location you can remain anonymous by contacting Pueblo Crime Stoppers at 719-542-STOP (542-7867).

The Pueblo Police Department provided the following tips to help the public combat hit-and-run drivers:

1. Get as much information about the car and the driver as possible.

2. Immediately get a license plate number.

3. Use technology to snap photos or take video of the other car and driver.

4. Make note of the type of damage and location of damage on the other vehicle.

5. Get witness information, if possible, before they leave.

If you agree to exchange information with the other driver without calling police, you will still need the other driver’s information as insurance companies will still require a counter report.

Drivers who flee the scene of an accident do so for many reasons (no insurance, no driver's license, intoxication, or being scared). Those drivers can face a number of violations ranging from a misdemeanor to a felony, depending on the severity of the injuries and/or damage.