DELMAR — At around 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 30, an 80-year-old bicyclist became a victim of a hit-and-run accident when he was struck by an SUV while crossing Elsmere Avenue near Fernbank Avenue, according to Bethlehem police.
The bicyclist, Nelson Harrington, sustained multiple internal injuries and was transported to Albany Medical Center Hospital, by Delmar-Bethlehem EMS and Albany County Paramedics. The car has been described by police as a dark-colored SUV that was traveling northbound, the driver of whom fled the scene without stopping at all. Harrington is known in the local community for being a long-time physical education teacher at the Bethlehem Middle School.
His son, Dave, posted a Facebook message on the morning of Oct. 31 to the Elsmere Fire Department, thanking them for also responding to the scene. Part of the message said that the department’s Chief Marc Futia recognized Nelson there, “‘Mr. Harrington? Oh … Hi Mark.’ Seeing a warm familiar face in light of a traumatic event is invaluable. These folks are who make Bethlehem the community that it is.”
On Tuesday, Nov. 6, Cmdr. Adam Hornick of Bethlehem police said that Nelson has since been released from the hospital despite still having multiple internal injuries. He also said that some eyewitnesses have already been interviewed.
An “informational road check” in that area was conducted on the night of Thursday, Nov. 1 after noticing that many people, who travel around Elsmere and Fernbank avenues, tended to travel at the same time to and from work, according to Hornick.
Bethlehem police are still encouraging any other eyewitnesses, motorists or pedestrians who were within the area of Elsmere and Fernbank avenues that night to call them at 518-439-9973, with any information pertaining the crash or even the fleeing SUV. Anonymous tips can be given to Capital Region Crime Stoppers at www.capitalregioncrimestoppers.com or by downloading the free P3 Tips application on any iOS or Android device.
