LINCOLN SQUARE — A mother and her son walking to preschool Monday morning were struck by a truck in a hit-and-run — leaving her with severe injuries that will require months of rehabilitation, police and her husband said.
Wendy Ruther recalled pushing her 4-year-old son Justin Lombardi out of harm's way in a crosswalk at West 65th Street and Broadway about 9 a.m. and then feeling three truck wheels roll over her before it drove off, Aldo Lombardi, Ruther's husband and Justin's father, told DNAinfo New York.
Both mother and son were injured, though Justin only had bruises on his legs while Ruther suffered a broken pelvis and femur, police and Lombardi explained.
She was taken to New York Presbyterian hospital, the FDNY said.
The truck, which Ruther described as silver with some green, continued south and drove away after the crash, he said. The NYPD could not confirm her description.
Ruther underwent surgery on her femur Tuesday and her pelvis is broken on both sides, her husband said. Doctors have predicted a full recovery, but her rehabilitation will take at least three months, her husband noted. She also underwent plastic surgery for a gash on her forehead but didn't have any other upper body injuries, he said.
The family is now looking for help finding the driver and is asking anyone who saw anything to report it to police, Lombardi said.
"We understand that accidents happen, but people should try to do the correct thing," said Lombardi, who said he was still in shock. "It's unbelievable...it's terrible."
Justin had bruising from his knees up to his pelvis, but no broken bones, his father added. He was on his mother's right side as the two saw the walk signal and stepped into the crosswalk, where they were hit by the truck as it turned right onto Broadway, Lombardi said. They were on their way to Justin's preschool at the YMCA at the time, he said.
"My son now is going to be scared to go to school," said Lombardi, who works in web design, while his wife is a freelance writer who works from home. "That's my worry."
Anyone with any information can provide a tip confidentially by calling 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), submitting a tip via www.nypdcrimestoppers.com or by texting CRIMES (274637) and then entering TIP577.
