LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Fifteen staples, a broken pelvis and a torn MCL.

That's what one man is dealing with after a hit-and-run on Dec. 9, 2023 in the Highlands.

Louisville Metro Police said Thursday it's looking for the vehicle that struck a pedestrian in the area of Baxter and Morton Avenues.

The vehicle is a silver or tan Nissan Rogue or Murano, and it's possibly stolen. The man's family is thankful he's alive but are praying for justice.

It was early Saturday morning around 1 a.m. when 24-year-old Jacob Doherty was getting ready to go home after a work Christmas party.

"One friend was in front of him, one was behind him on the sidewalk and he was in the crosswalk when a car didn't stop," his mother Aprel Doherty said.

It happened in the crosswalk in front of Taco Luchador on Baxter and Morton Avenues. His parents said he noticed the car wasn't stopping right as it was about to hit him.

He put his hand up bracing for the impact. They believe that move saved his life.

"Doctors say he's lucky that he's still with us," Mark Doherty said. "The way the impact was, if it had been higher, he wouldn't have made it."

He was taken to the hospital and needed nearly 15 staples in his head. His pelvis was fractured and his MCL was torn.

Now, as he's recovering back home, the driver responsible is still out there.

"They just weren't thinking or maybe they panicked or they had a reason to take off," Mark Doherty said. "That's all I could imagine."

Police said the vehicle involved has previous damage to the driver's door and they believe it likely has hood damage now.

Highlands hit and run (5).jpeg

Jacob Doherty, 24, was hit by a vehicle in the area of Baxter and Morton Avenues when he was in the crosswalk. (WDRB photo)

There is no tag but there's possibly a temporary tag in the back left window.

People who live in the area aren't shocked. They said they specifically avoid that crosswalk and go down to the stoplight to cross.

"Not surprised at all," Donny Gray, a Highlands resident, said. "No, the cars don't stop. The flashing lights just, they just speed up."

Mark and Aprel Doherty are just glad they can spend Christmas with their son. The family is also offering $5,000 for any information that could lead to an arrest and conviction.

"There's a lot of people that love him and are pretty outraged," Aprel Doherty said. "We're grateful, you know, Christmas. He's here."

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