By Mary O’KEEFE

On Friday, Aug. 23, at 7:53 p.m. Glendale police officers responded to a call regarding a pedestrian who had been struck by a vehicle. The pedestrian, a 13-year-old boy [at first reported as a 12-year-old], was crossing Verdugo Road, 2801 Verdugo Road, in a marked crosswalk when a vehicle, described as a 2009 Subaru, traveling south bound failed to stop and struck him.

According to a witness, the pedestrian lights were flashing, alerting drivers there was a pedestrian in the crosswalk. The witness, who was driving, slowed her vehicle and stopped at the crosswalk. The driver of the Subaru reportedly passed her at an estimated speed of 35 to 40 miles per hour. The witness told officers she honked her horn in an attempt to warn the driver but he did not stop and struck the boy. The driver, identified as Glendale resident Christopher Carone, 63, pulled over to the curb and remained at the scene.

Glendale officers conducted a DUI investigation. According to GPD, Carone failed the field sobriety test.

“A preliminary alcohol screening device test indicated a .30% BAC [Blood Alcohol Concentration],” stated GPD.

It is illegal for a person over the age of 21 to operate a vehicle with a BAC of 0.08%.

Carone has two prior convictions for DUI, one in 1995 and one in 2014.

The boy, a Glendale resident, was transported to the hospital where he remains in critical condition as of Wednesday.

Carone will face two felony charges including DUI causing great bodily injury and DUI with a BAC of 0.09% or greater causing great bodily injury. His bail was originally set at $100,000 but was increased to $200,000. His next court date is scheduled for Sept. 10.

The case remains under investigation by the Glendale Police

Dept. Traffic Division. Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call the Traffic Division at (818) 548-3131.

  Mary Okeefe