Disabled couple's car damaged in hit-and-run

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MISHAWAKA, Ind.-- A Mishawaka driver fishtails down West Lawrence Street, loses control and hits a parked car before taking off. 

It was all caught on a neighbors security camera. 

"It sucks, it really does, it’s scary," said neighbor Jessica Hayes. 

"We saw him fish-tailing up the whole street so he wasn’t taking this weather seriously,” said Jessica's husband, Shawn Hayes. 

In the security footage above given to ABC 57 by neighbors, you see the moment when a dark SUV loses control and crashes right into a parked car and pushes it about 6 feet back.

That’s when the driver exits the car. 

“The guy did come to my house and knock, which is weird because the car is parked across the street from my house. So he knows who's car it is, who’s house it is, who it belongs to and has not returned yet," said Steven Sellers.

He was house sitting his grandparent's home while they were out of state. 

Seller’s grandfather recently had to have his leg amputated, and this car was his way of not just getting around but getting to doctors appointments.

“They can’t afford a $1,000 dollar deductible for someone else's mess-up. It takes away from their medicine, from their healthcare. It takes a lot a way from them,” said Sellers. 

In the state of Indiana, drivers who cause damage to parked cars must stop immediately.

If the owner is not available, the driver who caused the damage must make efforts to find the owner.

If unsuccessful, they must leave their contact information along with a description of what happened.

If they fail to do that, they can be charged with a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the injuries involved, but Sellers is hoping it doesn’t have to come to that.

“Police have information on the guy. They have model numbers for his tail light which was left at the scene. He’s on camera picking up the parts and throwing it in his truck before leaving," said Sellers. 

If you come back then that’d be awesome. Then you probably won’t be hit with a hit-and-run charge. If you don’t come back and get caught,  you’re going to be hit with a hit and run and that’s going to suck. It could be a felony.”

Mishawaka police do have the model number of the suspect’s vehicle because of parts of the tail light left at the scene.

Neighbors believe the car in the video above to be a black Ford Explorer.

They’re asking anyone with any information about the hit-and-run to contact the Mishawaka Police Department.

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