Searsmont Man Who Reported a Hit and Run Was Allegedly the Driver

Rockland Police say an investigation into an alleged hit-and-run involving a pedestrian, led them to the man who called emergency personnel for the victim.

What Happened in the Crash?

Officers were called to the area of 25 North Main Street in Rockland just after 10 p.m. on the night of February 24 for a report of an injured woman.

"The evidence on scene suggested the victim was hit by a vehicle, and a hit-and-run investigation was started, as the offending vehicle was no longer on scene," Interim Deputy Chief Alex Gaylor of the Rockland Police Department said in a statement.

The woman suffered serious injuries. At the time of the crash, police said they had a person of interest but they were very interested in talking to anyone who may have witnessed the incident.

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Who Has Been Charged?

On Tuesday, Rockland Police said they charged Samuel Richman, 42, of Searsmont with failing to report an accident involving personal injury. The charge was elevated to a felony because of the extent of the woman's injuries.

"It was later learned through the investigation that Mr. Richman had in fact struck the victim with his vehicle," Gaylor said.

Officials say Richman is the one who called emergency services for the injured pedestrian and allegedly lied to law enforcement and emergency personnel about his involvement in the crash.

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that the caller had reported a hit-and-run accident in which a female pedestrian had been struck by a vehicle, which sped away. Instead, the caller said he found the injured woman while walking to a friend's house, according to police. We regret the error.