Man hit in parking lot remains hospitalized

1/9/2006

A 26-year-old man remained hospitalized yesterday after he and a woman were hit by a sport utility vehicle in a church parking lot late Saturday.

Rudolph Armstrong of 1410 Freeman St. was listed in fair condition in Toledo Hospital. Police said he and Carrie Richardson, 19, of 2557 Fulton St. were hit by the vehicle at Bethlehem Baptist Church, 1430 West Bancroft St.

Ms. Richardson was treated and released from St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center, a hospital spokesman said yesterday.

The victims were among a large group of people, some of whom were fighting, in the parking lot about 7:30 p.m. when the accident happened. All those involved had just left a boxing match held in the church s life center that was the cause of the fighting, police said.

Roderick Colbert, the driver of the SUV, drove away from the scene but later contacted the police.

Authorities said people in the parking lot attacked the vehicle before Mr. Colbert drove away and struck the two victims.

The case remained under investigation yesterday.

The pastor of the church, the Rev. Derek Arnold, could not be reached for comment yesterday.