4 Teens Struck In Hit-And-Run

MYFOXNY.COM - A Good Samaritan is being credited with stopping the man at the wheel during a hit-and-run in Garden City.

Police said four 15-year-old girls were crossing Glen Cove Road and Old Country Road near Roosevelt Field Mall on Wednesday night when they were hit by a Toyota Camry.

Two of the girls landed on the hood of the vehicle.

According to Nassau County Police, Elias Garcia, 26, of Hempstead, took off on Old Country Road with the girls still on the car.

Witnesses say he stopped, the girls rolled off of the car, and then he took off.

Good Day NY spoke with a man who witnesses said helped stop Garcia.

Steven Loverde is being called a Good Samaritan for chasing the car down.

"I was stopped at the red light with other cars. I heard a big bang to my left. As I'm looking to my left I see the Camry come across the intersection with two girls on the hood. The girls rolled off and he sped off. He had stopped about 50 yards away. He nailed the gas and tried to escape. I nailed the gas and tried to stop him. I didn't think twice. I was acting on instinct.  I was determined to stop this guy. He stopped at a red light. I told him to pull over that police were on their way," Loverde told co-host Rosanna Scotto.

Loverde said he took Garcia's keys and threw them on the grass. While he was waiting for police Garcia mumbled something but Loverde wasn't having it.

"You left four girls bleeding on the ground... that's inhumane. Tell your story to the cops," Loverde answered Garcia.

Police said a female driver called them to report the incident.

Three of the girls were taken to Winthrop University Hospital and the other was taken to Nassau University Medical Center.

One of the teens was listed in critical but stable condition with a head injury.

Garcia faces several charges including asault, four counts of endangering the welfare of a child and reckless driving.

"I did take a risk, but I think I made the right decision," added Loverde.