On December 19, 2020 at approximately 4:40 am, Parsons Police Department received a call from a citizen reporting hearing calls for 'help' south of Circle Park, near the area of 35th and Briggs. Officers located Andrew Scott, 18 years old, of Parsons, in the ditch near 35th and Southern Ave. Scott was suffering from multiple injuries. Officers rendered aid and called for Labette Health EMS. Scott was transported by ambulance to Labette Health for treatment with critical injuries. Scott was life flighted to Freeman Hospital in Joplin. Scott reported being struck by an unknown vehicle at approximately 2:30 am. Officers located signs that the collision took place on Southern Avenue near 35th Street. The driver of the vehicle neither stopped to render aid nor called to report the collision. Sgt. Brice Dickens is currently coordinating the felony investigation.

    Parsons Police Department are looking for tips from the community to bring this suspect to justice. Parsons Police Chief Robert Spinks said, "This kind of incident is tragic and upsetting for multiple reasons. First, that someone can hit a pedestrian and continue on without stopping. Secondly, we have heard that there are person(s) with knowledge of the possible suspect in this case, but are withholding this information in hopes of gaining financially from Mr. Scott's injuries and terrible circumstances. I hope that these person(s) will come forward and do the right thing to help a fellow citizen."

    Tips can be reported directly to the Parsons Police Department at 620-421-7060, to the Tips Line at 620-421-7057 or by email at tips@parsonspd.com. As always, we appreciate any assistance from the community in bringing people to justice.

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