The Associated Press

THE VIDEO (Not for the weak of heart. It's very sad. )

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Police released chilling surveillance video of a hit-and-run accident in hopes of catching the unidentified driver who ran down a 78-year-old pedestrian, paralyzing him, and to show the callousness of bystanders who did nothing to help.

The gripping one-minute video shows the violent May 30 accident and bystanders' apparent lack of sympathy. No one rushes to Angel Arce Torres' aid, and no one bothers to stop traffic as Torres lays motionless in the street.

In the video, released by police Wednesday, Torres walks in the two-way street at 5:45 p.m. after buying milk at a local grocery. He is struck by a dark Honda that was chasing a tan Toyota. Both cars dart down a side street as Torres crumples to the pavement.

Several cars pass Torres as a few people stare from the sidewalk. Some approach Torres, but most stay put until a police cruiser responding to an unrelated call arrives on the scene.

Police suggested the video shows a city that has lost its moral compass.

"At the end of the day we've got to look at ourselves and understand that our moral values have now changed." Police Chief Daryl Roberts said. "We have no regard for each other."

Torres is paralyzed and remains in critical condition in Hartford Hospital.

His son, Angel Arce, begged the public for help.

"My father is fighting for his life," Arce said. "I would like the public right now to help us in identifying the car and the person that did this."

Robert Luna, who works at a nearby store, blamed witnesses for failing to help Torres. "It took too long to call police," he said Thursday. "Nobody did nothing."

Witness Bryant Hayre said he didn't feel comfortable helping Torres, who he said was bleeding and conscious.

"Whoever did this should be sent away for a long time," Hayre told The Hartford Courant. "It was as if he was a dog left in the street to die."

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How can people just walk and drive by and not help this person laying in the street like that. People make me sick and angry sometimes.