The death of my son on Westside Highway.

On September 18 from around 3:30 to 3:45 AM my 24 year old son Joshua David Crouch was killed by a hit and run driver at the corner of West 12th Street and Westside Highway in the West Village of New York. This stretch of road runs down the area of the Hudson River Park. My son was more than likely in the crosswalk and this driver ran the red light. A witness in one of the apartments heard back-up bells at around 3:45 AM and when he looked out his window he saw a silver 18 wheeler backing up and maneuvering around something (my son) and then continued South up the highway. About 15 minutes later the same witness then saw the emergency lights flashing just ahead of the crosswalk. This route is probably one that this driver usually takes or has driven before. The red light was neglected because one would think that no one would be crossing at that time of the day, it's a red light! STOP. If you drivers out there have children, I just want you to try to imagine what me and my wife are going through, if you have not experienced a loss like this you can't! Josh has a younger sister and brother that have lost their hero and I have lost my best friend. My daugeter cries while taking a shower at night because she feels that no one will hear her there. We have to take medicine to get through the day as well as to sleep at night. There is a saying that goes, "the 6th degree of separation" which means, that for every six people we meet someone will know someone we know. I am asking you drivers for your help in finding justice to whoever murdered my son and then cowardly drove away, most likely through the Holland Tunnel. Oh, I forgot to mention that this driver may have also taken my son's wallet and anything else that may have identified him. We didn't find out here in North Carolina until 30 hours later that Josh was killed. The friends and family are offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the driver. I know how close we can be to our friends, but please help me find out who did this so we can have some kind of closure. I won't go into detail about making funeral arrangements and meeting with a medical examiner, but it isn't pleasant. Joshua was a great child and never hurt anyone, so for him to die in such a horrible way is a terrible injustice to him and our family. This is why I am reaching out to you truckers, most especially to the fathers with compassion who can't wait to get home to their children and spend Thanksgiving with all of them. Thank you all in advance.

Sincerely,
Jimmy C
Josh's dad

 

Thanks to you that have posted so far. I did not know about the 12' 6" and nor did anyone of authority let me know. I am leaving my cell phone number *****PM kc0rey for phone number***** if anyone has hints of who this driver may be. All this driver had to do was stop. The M.E. say's that Josh could not have received any help if someone were to arrive from EMS because of the impact on him. Joshua was found on the road by an off duty Lieutenant and because of him with no wallet he was classified as a 30 year old homeless person in the NY Post the next day. I hope someone out there can help us, as you drivers here a lot from other drivers. I have been back to the city on two occasions (we live in Wilmington, NC and Josh was a resident of Brooklyn for six years) but am getting nowhere with local law enforcement. The faces of my family don't look the same as they did three months ago and may never again. Of my two younger children, my 15 year old daughter is most traumatized by the death of Joshua, My 20 year old son (just today!) is away at school so I don't get the chance to see him everyday. My daughter will be 16 the first week of February and Josh was planning something special for her 16th. Those of you with little girls know what it's like to make promises to them and forget to keep them. Well, this is much, much worse than that. As I said earlier, this driver knew what he had done and all he had to do was at least make a 911 call, but he/she didn't and left my boy on the side of the road like an animal. Please get the word out and ask for help.

Jimmyc
Josh's dad


[edit]*****JimmyC, you can't post phone numbers here. I have saved it, and if anybody needs it PM Me and I'll be happy to pass it on*******kc0rey*****[edit]

 

Thank you for helping me out with the truck/trailer details, it helps a lot. Thanks to you all for your concern! If I have to "search" for twenty years I will. Joshua would not have slept any if this would have been me and many times I have wished that it were me. This is a terrible thing to go through and I hope and pray that it never happens to any parent. Thanks again.

Jimmyc
Josh's dad