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Jogger Injured In Hit & Run Crash In Seekonk

SEEKONK (CBS) – A jogger was struck and seriously injured by a hit and run driver in Seekonk, but the suspect did not get too far. Witnesses chased down the woman and kept her until police arrived.

Tony Sampaio's family says he was running home from the gym Sunday afternoon when he was struck and thrown into a utility pole. The suspect, 35-year-old Mary Elliott of Attleboro, allegedly took off down Route 44.

"I just heard a very loud thud and I said something's not right," said Paula Pelletier, who was startled by the crash in front of her home. "I ran to the window and that's when I saw the victim laying on the sidewalk."

Pelletier says the driver raced off, leaving Sampaio on the side of the road. As Pelletier watched, two witnesses jumped back behind the wheel of their vehicles and chased the suspect.

Tony Sampaio
Tony Sampaio injured in hit and run crash in Seekonk (Facebook photo)

"They took off down the street to go after the person that had hit him," Pelletier said.

The witnesses cornered Elliott just across the Rhode Island state line in East Providence. Police arrived minutes later to make the arrest.

"I was glad," Pelletier said. "I knew that if this person had gotten away it probably would have taken months for them to find who did it."

Sampaio suffered serious injuries and was taken to Rhode Island Hospital where he remains in intensive care.

According to reports, Elliott is charged with DUI and leaving the scene of a bodily injury accident.

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