Port Jeff Station Hit-And-Run Victim Takes Matters into His Own Hands

Port Jefferson Station resident William Chilton is looking for the man who rear ended his car near on July 23 and then took off. He’s put signs up on telephone poles in Port Jefferson Station and Setauket and he even took to the web to catch the runaway, posting a full description of the event on Reddit.com.

Chilton, 25, says he was driving his 2003 Dodge Neon SXT on Terryville Road when he was hit from behind by a silver 2005 to 2010 Grand Cherokee.

“No brakes, no horn, nothing,” he said to Patch.

A police report Chilton filed says that the accident happened at about 2:40 p.m. The man driving the Cherokee got out of his SUV and inspected the damage. He then did something that Chilton found unbelievable.

"I didn't think he was going to run,” he said. “It was the middle of the day and there were cars all around. It was rather shocking."

Chilton told police that the man got back into his Cherokee, made a u-turn and left the scene of the accident. There were witnesses but unfortunately, no one was able to get a plate number.

Chilton described the person who hit him as a white male in his thirties and about six foot tall.

He suffered a neck injury in the accident – he has two dislocated discs in his neck – and his car was totaled. According to Chilton, the Cherokee has front end damage and most likely a broken radiator. He also seems to think that whoever drives the Cherokee goes to the area around the Port Jefferson train station every day.

While police said that the investigation is ongoing, Chilton doesn’t have much faith that his case is their top priority so that’s why he’s taking matters into his own hands, posting his hit-and-run signs and putting a message on the web. He’s even offering a reward for tips leading to a positive identification of the man who hit him.

"I've been looking pretty tirelessly,” he said. “It's nice to have people trying to help you."

If you have information on this accident call (631) 456-2447.