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Police search for hit-and-run suspect after 2 dogs killed, man hospitalized

The hit-and-run crash seriously injured a man, and killed his two dogs, according to the victim's daughter.

DENVER — Police are looking for the driver responsible for a hit-and-run crash that seriously injured a man and killed his two dogs as they walked near a Denver intersection. 

Denver Police said they’ve been looking for the driver since the crash on Dec. 30. Joseph Gonzales was walking by Florida and Xavier with his dogs, Cupcake and Cutie Pie. 

Police said a driver in a dark-colored dirt bike hit Gonzalez. His daughter said he was unconscious and both of his dogs died. 

The driver took off immediately, said police. They’re now looking for the driver of a dark-colored motorbike that may have front-end damage.

His daughter, Monique Fair, said her dad has walked the route thousands of times. Fair said watching her dad fight this physical and emotional battle has been the hardest three weeks.

“Cannot walk, cannot shower, cannot use the restroom on his own, can’t swing his legs off the bed or on his bed on his own,” Fair said. “So, the basic functions that a healthy 69-year-old man that was able to do this the morning of December 30th was unable to do by the evening of December 30th because of a hit and run is hard to see but he is progressing.”

Rather than focusing on what her dad can’t do, she said what she can do is find forgiveness for the suspect if they come forward.

“In our life we have to make choices, and choices and incidents come with consequences and each one has an opportunity for us to grow and learn,” Fair said. “So should this person choose to never come forward, I hope that they take this moment to learn and to better and to impart positivity in the world. And should this person choose to come forward, my anger, my family’s anger, my dad’s anger is temporary, and gratitude for them coming forward is long-lasting.”

The next steps for Gonzales will be physical therapy to recover from the crash.

Help the family here.

  

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