Hit-and-run driver critically injures elderly Pasadena man

PASADENA -- Police asked the public's help Thursday in finding a hit-and-run driver who struck and critically injured an 83-year-old Pasadena man on an electric scooter.
Lucio Morales, also known as Martin Beltran, is suspected of driving the 1994 Mercedes-Benz S500 that struck Frank Paneno about 7:30 a.m. Wednesday at Cordova Street and Chester Avenue, Pasadena police officials said. Morales and a passenger both pulled the injured man out from underneath the car before Morales fled, leaving the passenger at the scene.
Little information was known about Morales, who is believed to have moved to the United States about a year ago, Lt. Randell Taylor said. He worked at Zankou Chicken in Pasadena and may have been staying in Highland Park.
"We're working with every capable investigative source to figure out more about him," the lieutenant said.
Morales is described as Latino, about 5 feet 8 inches tall, 160 pounds, with wavy black hair.
Only a grainy photograph taken from an employment document was available, police said.
Paneno remained hospitalized in critical condition Thursday morning with broken ribs, head trauma and other injuries, police said.
Paneno was riding his motorized scooter westbound in the bicycle lane on Cordova Street prior to the crash, Pasadena police officials said in a written statement. The Mercedes was making a left turn from eastbound Cordova Street onto Chester Avenue.
"Morales struck Paneno in the intersection, dragging him and his scooter several feet before stopping," according to the police statement.
"Morales, along with his passenger, exited their vehicle and pulled both the scooter and victim from underneath the vehicle," the statement added. "Morales got back into his vehicle and fled the scene leaving his passenger and the victim behind."
Investigators found the Mercedes, which belongs to Morales' niece, Wednesday morning in Highland Park, though Morales himself remained at large.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Pasadena Police Department.

PHOTO of Lucio Morales courtesy of the Pasadena Police Department.