BOISE, Idaho — A group of citizens were recognized by the Boise Police Department for their efforts in helping hit-and-run victims.
On Friday, a ceremony was held, and Exceptional Service Awards were presented to nine citizens after they provided "lifesaving aid" to two women left with life-threatening injuries.
"We're here to honor and award some exceptional service awards to members of our community who jumped in and responded to a pretty, pretty horrific and significant collision", Chief of Police Ron Winegar told KTVB Friday.
Four of the people who jumped in to help the women were from the Szumski Family, who all work in the medical field. The fifth person who contributed to saving their lives was Anna Hoskins, another medical worker who happened to be nearby. The Szumski Family and Anna immediately did what they could for the women's injuries and fortunately saved their lives.
The other half of the good Samaritans were four young men, who did not know each other, but came together to stop the fleeing suspect. Lucas Vitale, Brayden Hussey, Dominic Brown, and William Ginn followed the driver, Jacob Miller.
Boise Police said the four men kept the police updated over the phone on the driver's location. When the driver began to run away from the area on foot, the group of men stopped and held him until the police arrived. Jacob Miller was also taken to a hospital and treated for injuries. His arrest followed his release from the hospital.
"We truly enjoy the partnership that we have with members of our community, and we're thankful when they step up," Chief Winegar said. "It makes the community a better place, a safer place, and we are grateful to live in this community and to serve in this community."
On June 29, Boise Police arrested and charged 46-year-old Jacob Miller with two felony counts of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in injury or death. The two women he hit were pedestrians on 11th and Main Street in downtown Boise. Days later, Miller appeared in court, and prosecutors said he ran a red light and hit the women in a crosswalk.
A witness named Elyse Panzella told KTVB she saw a black Volkswagen Beetle speeding downtown, with one of the victims stuck on the front of the car.
"I noticed a woman still on the windshield of the vehicle," Panzella said. "As he's driving, her head and upper shoulder were still lodged through the windshield and her body was on the hood of the car he was trying to drive away."
Prosecutors claim Miller also hit two other cars, a barrier and curbs. The incident ended after Miller crashed into another car and was tackled by several witnesses after trying to run away.
A judge set Miller's bond at $1 million.