Alleged hit-and-run driver out on bail

Jan 10, 2017

A woman accused of hitting a 14-year-old girl as she crossed Dartmouth Street on January 5 is out on bail.

Jessica Skaggs, 34, of New Bedford, was released on $500 cash bail after her arraignment at New Bedford District Court on January 6, according to court documents.

She was arrested on January 5 and charged with leaving the scene of an accident with personal injury and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, after she allegedly hit the girl in the area of 597 Dartmouth Street at 5:10 p.m.

According to court documents, Skaggs was driving a 2004 Nissan Sentra owned by a relative when she struck the girl as she was crossing Dartmouth Street from Dancer’s Edge Studio to the parking lot of Buckley Moniz Travel, where her father was waiting.

When police arrived, the girl was unconscious and was bleeding from the head in the middle of the road. Several witnesses reported to police that the vehicle that had struck the girl fled the scene, according to court documents.

The girl was brought to Crapo Field before being transported by helicopter to Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Rhode Island. She was listed in critical condition as of Wednesday morning.

Skaggs allegedly turned herself in to police 30 minutes later. The Sentra Skaggs was allegedly driving was recovered in the area of Fay’s restaurant.

It is noted in court documents that Skaggs had a license out of Nevada that is currently suspended, and no record of a license in Massachusetts.

Skaggs is due back in court for a pretrial hearing on March 21.