By Howard Koplowitz
An 11-year-old girl was fighting for her life at Jamaica Hospital after she was struck by a hit-and-run driver in Ozone Park, police and witnesses said.
Nisha Chowdhury and her friend were dropped off by Chowdhury's father at around 7:30 a.m. Sept. 17 near Rockaway Boulevard and 98th Street, when a car, believed to be a black 2007 or 2008 Nissan Altima, struck them and sped off, according to eyewitness Abdelmalik Moudougy, who manages the Getty service station near the scene of the accident.
The girls were crossing the street on their way to school at MS 137, just down the block from the accident, witnesses said.
“The guy hit her with the [driver's side] mirror,” Moudougy said. “The guy was going with speed. He kept going.”
“I heard something hit like 'boom.' After, I found the girl on the floor. The girl, she's in bad shape,” he said.
Raj Chowdhury, Nisha's father, returned to the scene about four hours after the accident and asked reporters to pray for his daughter's recovery.
Moudougy said the victim's friend was not seriously injured in the accident.
Police said the girl was taken to Jamaica Hospital, where she was listed in critical condition as of Monday.
Moudougy said the service station's surveillance camera captured the accident.
“I called the cops and showed them the camera,” Moudougy said. “Everything is clean on the camera.”
Kenneth Zorn, the 106th Precinct Community Affairs officer, viewed the surveillance tape, but said he did not have enough information to comment.
The accident “is being investigated by the highway unit and hopefully everything will work out,” he said. “It's sad when a kid gets struck. We all have kids.”
Officers posted a sign at the intersection of Rockaway Boulevard and 98th Street, which asked for witnesses to call police.
Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e-mail at hkoplowitz@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 173.
