By Ivan Pereira and Christina Santucci
Police are searching for the driver of a dollar van who they say struck a woman and left her to die on the streets of South Jamaica Sunday night.
Toyia Jones, 40, was found unconscious by officers at the corner of Merrick Boulevard and Anderson Road, just down the block from her home around 9:30 p.m., the police said. She was rushed to Queens Hospital Center but was pronounced dead when she got to the medical center, according to investigators.
Witnesses said she had been struck hard by a dollar van that was traveling through the area, however it was not known if she was a passenger in the vehicle.
Johnny Walter, 24, lives near the intersection and said police were on the scene all night and into the next morning.
“Somebody threw her out of the car right here,” he said, pointing to the corner of Merrick Boulevard and Anderson Road. “It’s crazy”
Walter added that Jones was a landlord.
The police have no suspects or arrests as of Monday afternoon. Jones’s family was not available for comment.
Anyone with information is urged to call Crimestoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), text their tips to 274637 (crimes) then enter TIP577 or log onto www.nypdcrimestoppers.com. All reports will be kept confidential.
Reach reporter Ivan Pereira by e-mail at ipereira@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4546.
