MANHATTAN — A barber suffered life-threatening injuries after he fell into traffic and was hit by a black van that then drove away Monday morning, police said.
The 51-year-old victim, whose name wasn't immediately released, tumbled into traffic outside the Glamour Center Salon at 161 W. 35th St., near Broadway, where he works after becoming dizzy about 11:25 a.m., an NYPD spokesman said.
He was then struck by a Ford Econoline conversion van, which fled west on 35th Street.
"I saw him lying down in the street. He was on his back. There was blood. I'm not sure if he was moving," said the man's colleague, Eddie, 50, who declined to give his last name.
The victim lay battered in the street until medical responders put him onto a stretcher and took him away.
"He was moving just a little. His eyes were closed. Blood was coming from his head," said another barber, David, 45, who also declined to give his last name.
The man was treated at Bellevue Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition, police said.
The victim had worked at Glamour Center for only a couple months, but was known as being talented.
"He’s friendly, a nice guy. He’s a good hairstylist," David said.
Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). You can also submit a tip by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at www.nypdcrimestoppers.com.
