Robert Novak crash victim 'worse than 1st thought'

Robert Novak

A 66-year-old man reportedly struck by syndicated columnist Robert Novak's car is "in worse shape than first thought," according to a hospital source.

The well-known political pundit was cited by police after he hit the pedestrian with his black Corvette in the nation's capital while en route to work shortly after 10 a.m. this morning.

"I didn't know I hit him. ... I feel terrible," a shaken Novak told WJLA-TV as he was returning to his car. "He's not dead, that's the main thing."

The local ABC affiliate says it's not clear if the victim was conscious. The man appeared to have casts on his neck and back. The victim's X-rays were reportedly sent to a surgical team for evaluation.

D.C. Fire and EMS spokesman Alan Etter told the station the pedestrian complained of pain in his arm and was taken to George Washington University Hospital with what were described as minor injuries at the time.

Novak claims he didn't know anything was wrong until a bicyclist rode ahead of him and blocked traffic, informing him of the mishap.

WJLA has posted online video of its interview with Novak as he emerged from a police car at the scene, as Novak told them he was cited for failure to yield right of way, but not for leaving the scene of an accident.

The Politico identifies the cyclist was David Bono, a partner at Harkins Cunningham, who was on his usual bike commute to work at 1700 K St. N.W.

Bono told the online paper "a black Corvette convertible with top closed plows into the guy. The guy is sort of splayed into the windshield."

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Bono said the man was crossing the street in a crosswalk while the "Walk" signal was lit, and rolled off Novak's windshield.

"This car is speeding away. What's going through my mind is, you just can't hit a pedestrian and drive away," Bono said.

Politico reports Bono says he chased Novak half a block, finally catching up with him and putting his bike in front of the car to block it as he called 9-1-1.

Bono said that throughout, Novak "keeps trying to get away. He keeps trying to go."

The cyclist said he vaguely recognized Novak, who for years has been on television, but could not precisely place him.