CHEEKTOWAGA, NY : 55-year-old Robert Prigl of Depew was killed in a hit and run crash on Tuesday, August 8, 2017

55-year-old Robert Prigl of Depew was killed early Tuesday morning in a hit and run crash, according to Cheektowaga Police.

The pedestrian was crossing Genesee Street near the Buffalo Niagara International Aiport just before 5 a.m. when he was struck, investigators say.

Authorities temporarily closed the westbound lanes of Genesee between Holtz Dr. and the entrance to the Route 33 expressway as they investigated. Access to the airport was limited to just one entrance during that time.

Police are searching for any surveillance footage from area businesses to help with their investigation.

They have not located the suspected driver or the vehicle they believe was involved, but say it likely had front-end damage. The car was headed west when it struck Prigl, police tell News 4.

According to Prigl’s neighbors, the 55-year-old was visiting his parents in Depew from Fort Myers. He was heading to the airport Tuesday morning to return to Florida after a month in western New York.

Taylor Grant works as a front desk receptionist at the Courtyard Marriott. She arrived at work almost two hours after the crash and says traffic was still being diverted.

She tells News 4 she always encourages her guests to use the hotel’s shuttle, even though the airport is just across the street.

Cars she says, often don’t follow traffic laws during peak travel times.

“People don’t stop. They see a yellow light, they’ll go through. Doesn’t matter what color the light is, they try to make it. Even if there is a crosswalk they still try and make it. So again, I recommend always using the shuttle. It only takes five minutes, rather than walking across, I always recommend using the shuttle.”

Anyone with more information on the incident can call Cheektowaga police at (716) 686-3580.

Source :
Pedestrian killed in hit-and-run crash near Buffalo airport identified