An Army National Guard member is in critical condition and a coma five days after he was struck by a driver who fled the accident scene in Barberton.
Scott Hollifield, 27, of Barberton, is being treated for multiple broken bones and severe head injuries at Summa Akron City Hospital, according to his family.
The victim's father, John Hollifield, is urging the driver to turn himself or herself into police.
"I would like to see him brought to justice," he said. "It would be the best thing for him to turn himself in."
Hollifield was walking with a friend on Van Buren Street near Lincoln Avenue around 10:45 p.m. last Friday when he was struck by an oncoming car.
Hollifield's buddy, Joseph Dezsi, told police that Hollifield was walking along the "fog line" when he was hit by a dark-colored sedan.
The victim was found unconscious on the east side of the roadway with serious injuries, police said.
Alethea Saafir was driving with her daughter on Van Buren when she spotted glass and then saw the man lying on the side of the road.
Saafir, a nurse, told Dezsi not to move Hollifield and was troubled that the driver took off.
"You know if you hit somebody. You should still stop just to make sure they're okay and just turn yourself in," Saafir said.
Barberton Sgt. Brian Davis said the sedan could have passenger-side and front-end damage, including a shattered window or windshield. He also said the car might be maroon in color.
"There's no real debris left from the vehicle, just some broken glass," Davis said. "We're trying to play a guessing game as far as which way it went."
Davis said it's possible the person behind the wheel didn't see Hollifield on the dark road but feels the driver knew he or she hit someone or something.
If found, the driver could face a felony for leaving the scene of an injury accident.
"If it's an accident and you're scared, you just need to come forward, and we can work through that," Davis added.
A gofundmeaccount has been established to help get the "solider get back on his feet."
