Des Moines Police Seek Hit-And-Run Driver

DES MOINES, IA — Police are asking for the public's help in identifying a man who was driving a stolen vehicle Monday when he crashed into another car, leaving the driver hospitalized with critical injuries. The driver of the stolen vehicle got away.

Meanwhile, Anthony Hites, 27, of Des Moines remains hospitalized after the incident that happened in the 2300 block of Lyon Street on the city's east side.

KCCI-TV reported that Hites was in intensive care on Tuesday and his family was pleading for the driver who hit him to turn himself in to police.

“He was doing the right thing, going to work, and at the wrong place, six blocks from home, he gets struck by a car,” Hites' mother, Charlotte Cothran, told KCCI about her son.

Des Moines police spokesman Paul Parizek told KCCI the suspect was fleeing from police who were looking for a stolen vehicle when he caused the "extremely violent collision." The man being sought was wearing gray jeans and a baseball cap at the time of the incident and police believe a jacket found near the crash site belonged to the suspect. It has the name "Jedd" embroidered on the front.

Anyone who can identity the suspect is asked to call the Des Moines Police Department at 515-283-4811 or Crime Stoppers of Central Iowa at 515-223-1400. Anonymous tips may be made online at crimestoppersofcentraliowa.com.

Patch file photo