Timeline and driving route released from Hadley hit and run case

Investigators appeal for public's help finding driver
Hadley PD and Northwestern DA investigators appeal for help finding driver of van

Investigators into the Oct. 11, 2022 hit and run crash that left a 13-year-old Hadley boy with serious injuries are renewing their call for help from the public in search of the driver of the van that struck the boy, releasing details of the van’s travel route before and after the crash.

Based on information pieced together through surveillance footage, the van is believed to have been in the vicinity of the Amherst Big Y parking lot near the Dunkin’ Donuts and Ginger Garden off University Drive in Amherst around 6:36 a.m., approximately 24 minutes before the crash. The van then drove in a loop around the Route 9, University Drive, and Amity Rocky Hill Road area for about 10 minutes before heading west on Route 9, where it struck the boy at the Route 9 Crosswalk near the Hampshire Juvenile Court building at 7 a.m.

Just before hitting the boy, the van swerved abruptly to the left. It then struck the boy and sped away at a high rate of speed, after which it turning into the Hampton Inn and then the Pride Gas Station on Route 9 before crossing the Coolidge Bridge into Northampton and then heading onto I-91 south.

Additionally, investigators have refined the description of the vehicle that struck the boy as a white cargo van of the extended variety believed to be in the range of 2003 to 2006 with no side windows except the front passenger and driver doors. 

The case is under investigation by the Hadley Police Department, the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit attached to the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office, and the Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section (CARS).

Anyone with any information, not matter how seemingly small, is asked to call (413)584-0883 or email Detective Janelle Seitz seitzj@hadleyma.gov or send a Facebook message to the Hadley Police Department.

Authorities report that the boy has returned home and is making progress in his recovery.