Utica Hit and Run Victim Identified, Suspect Cooperating

UPDATE: 12/29/2021 9:48am The Utica Police Department is identifying the man killed on Christmas morning near Court Street.

The family of 61-year-old Perry Hammond of Utica released his photo to the UPD. Emergency Responders ask that the public keeps Mr. Hammond's family in their thoughts.

Perry Hammond (Family Photo) Courtesy: Utica Police

The investigation by the Utica Police Department's Accident Reconstruction Team continues.

A 31-year-old man from Utica, Jeffrey Jones, was arrested as a suspect in the accident, which appeared to be a hit and run. Jones has admitted to hitting the victim and was last said to be cooperating with police.

UPDATE: 12/26/2021 3:35pm A Utica man is under arrest after allegedly hitting a pedestrian near Court Street and Lincoln Avenue at approximately 2:25am on Christmas, December 25, 2021.

UPDATE: Arrest Made in Fatal Christmas Morning Incident in Utica

Original Story:

**This is a developing story and more information will be posted as soon as it is available.**

Christmas morning has turned tragic for one family.

This morning, December 25, 2021, at approximately 2:25am emergency responders were called to an area near Court Street and Lincoln Avenue in Utica, New York for a report of a motor vehicle accident involving a pedestrian who was hit by a car.

Court Street and Lincoln Avenue in Utica, New York Photo Credit: Google Maps 2021

According to the Utica Police Department, when they arrived they found a man in the roadway. The Utica Fire Department (UFD) brought him immediately to St. Elizabeth Medical Center. The UPD says, "UFD and the ED [Emergency Department] staff at St. Elizabeth's performed all possible lifesaving measures, however sadly the male succumbed to his injuries."

The Utica Police Department Accident Reconstruction Team remains on the scene this morning. Police say that Court Street westbound from State Street to the Route 12 off ramp is closed this morning until further notice.

The UPD says, " The Major Crimes Unit is handling the investigation, and additional information will be released as available."

The identity of the driver as well as the circumstances regarding the collision are not being released at this time pending further investigation. The condition of the vehicle's driver has not been disclosed.

The name of the victim has not yet been released. Police, fire, and emergency responders are asking that the family be kept in everyone's thoughts during this difficult time.

[AUTHOR'S NOTE: This post is for informational purposes and is based largely on information from the Utica Police Department.]

Wreaths Across America Ceremony December 18, 2021

More than 2.4 million wreaths were placed on veterans’ headstones at 3,136 locations across the United States on December 18, 2021. The initiative is spearheaded every year by the non-profit group Wreaths Across America. The group was started in 1992 by Morrill Worcester, a businessman from Maine was began laying wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery. Now, with the mission of “Remember, Honor, Teach,” the groups lays wreaths at thousands of veterans’ cemeteries and other locations.

The Utica Fire Department 'Firehouse Lights' Competition

Here you can view each of the light displays outside each of the firehouses in the Utica Fire Department. You can vote on their Facebook page and are welcome to take a walking tour of each of the houses.