Police identified the pedestrian killed over the weekend in a hit-and-run crash on South Union Street in Rochester.
Henry “Hank” Brown, 70, of Rochester was crossing South Union Street near Buena Place when he was struck by an oncoming car around 2:15 a.m. Saturday, said Capt. Frank Umbrino of the Rochester Police Department. Brown, who lived nearby on Union Street, was rushed to Strong Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after he arrived, Umbrino said.
Police said they believed Brown was crossing the road to head home when he was struck by a vehicle that then fled the scene.
Brown was well known on Rochester’s East End, where he worked for nearly three decades as a doorman at Salinger’s Pub on East Avenue, Umbrino said.
Dennis Sutton, who owns Salinger’s, described Brown as a honest, loyal and reliable friend and employee. The two knew one another for nearly three decades, as both men started working at the bar in 1996, he said. Sutton bought the business nearly 15 years ago and said Brown was the “lifeblood” of the bar and his “right hand man.”
“He was my guy,” Sutton said.
He worked four nights each week, and when he wasn’t working, he was there anyway, Sutton said.
“He loved the place and treated everybody like family,” Sutton said. “He was always in a good mood. He was just one of those guys.”
A retired county employee, Brown worked because he loved the people, Sutton said. He also loved his motorcycle, his family and his annual trip to Key West, Sutton said.
No charges have been filed in connection with the crash. Funeral arrangements have not been announced. Salinger’s plans to host a “celebration” of Brown’s life later this summer.
RPD’s Major Crimes Unit is investigating Brown’s death. Anyone with information or video of the crash is asked to call 911, RPD at (585) 428-7157, CrimeStoppers at (585) 423-9300, or email MajorCrimes@cityofrochester.gov.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Rochester hit-and-run victim was ‘the lifeblood’ of popular local bar
Reporting by Victoria E. Freile, New York Connect Team / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
