Pittsfield man, 69, killed in hit-and-run crash that dragged him 'lengthy distance,' DA says

"A man was killed in a hit-and-run crash in Pittsfield late Tuesday night after being dragged a "lengthy distance" by the undercarriage of the car, prosecutors said. Pittsfield police responded to a report Tuesday night of a man lying in the roadway who appeared to have been hit by a vehicle, the department said in a press release. When police arrived, they were unable to find the vehicle or the victim involved. Police spoke to witnesses, which led them to survey the area, the department said."

"Police ultimately found the victim, who was already dead, on West Housatonic Street near a Best Western Hotel, Pittsfield police said. According to an initial investigation, the victim was hit by a dark-colored sedan around 11:33 p.m. near Linden Street and Francis Avenue, police said. The driver of the car fled the scene and is wanted by police, Pittsfield police said."

"The Berkshire District Attorney's Office identified the man killed as William Colbert, 69. Colbert was a Pittsfield resident, according to the DA. According to the DA, when Colbert was hit, he was rammed underneath the car and dragged a "lengthy distance," coming to a stop near 1350 Housatonic Street. Police believe that the car involved traveled on Linden Street, Robins Avenue, Daniels Avenue, Columbus Avenue, Onota Street, South Merriam Street and West Housatonic Street, the Berkshire DA said."

Pittsfield police responded to a report of a man lying in the roadway late Tuesday night after an apparent vehicle strike. Initial searches did not locate the vehicle or the victim, but witness statements led officers to continue surveying the area. Officers later found the victim deceased on West Housatonic Street near a Best Western Hotel. Investigators determined a dark-colored sedan struck the victim around 11:33 p.m. near Linden Street and Francis Avenue and that the driver fled the scene. The Berkshire District Attorney identified the victim as 69-year-old William Colbert and said he was rammed under and dragged a lengthy distance. Authorities released a list of streets the car likely traveled and requested tips and surveillance video.

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