Angel Arce Torres was an American victim of a hit and run incident from Hartford, Connecticut. The incident attracted widespread comment and criticism for the callousness of the perpetrators, other drivers and pedestrians.
On May 30 2008, seventy eight year old Torres was crossing the street when he was struck by one of two vehicles that had crossed the center line. Both vehicles failed to stop. Many vehicles drove past Torres and a number of pedestrians looked at him but did not attempt to render assistance. It was not until a police cruiser driving past on an unrelated call arrived that any attempt to help was made.
The case provoked widespread condemnation for the attitude of the people in the vicinity. A local police chief was quoted as saying "We no longer have a moral compass."[1] It was later revealed that four 911 calls were made regarding the incident[2]
"It was one of the most despicable things I've seen by one human being to another," the Rev. Henry Brown, a community activist, said in an interview. "I don't understand the mind-set anymore. It's kind of mind-boggling. We're supposed to help each other. You see somebody fall, you want to offer a helping hand."[1]
Torres was paralyzed in the incident and never left the hospital.[3] He died on May 11, 2009[4]
For nearly a year no-one was arrested in connection with the incident.[5] On May 16 2009 Hartford resident Luis Negron was charged in connection with the incident. Negron agreed to a plea bargain, pleading guilty to manslaughter and evading responsibility. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison.[6][7]