Tale of a hit and run: “A Christmas coward in Charles City Iowa”

CHARLES CITY – The following is regarding a Charles City police investigation into an alleged hit and run incident early Sunday morning:

The original post from the local PD read as follows…
12-08-2013 0051 HRS THE CHARLES CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT WENT TO THE 800 BLOCK OF NORTH MAIN STREET FOR A REPORT OF A SUBJECT WHO WAS HIT BY A VEHICLE IN THE ALLEYWAY. THE DRIVER AND VEHICLE LEFT THE SCENE.THE SUBJECT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMR. THE CASE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION. IF ANYONE HAS INFORMATION ON THE INCIDENT OR THE VEHICLE WHICH LEFT THE SCENE, CONTACT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AT (641) 228-3366 OF THE ANONYMOUS TIP LINE AT (641) 257-6303 . THERE IS A REWARD OFFERED FOR UP TO $1000 FOR INFORMATION THAT WOULD SOLVE THE CASE WITH THE IDENTITY OF THE DRIVER.

And now, the REST of the story…

Robert Lanenga, a 22 year old resident of Charles City, Iowa and his fiancé Danyelle, had decided to go out on a double date to the Oliver Tap with some friends of theirs. The night started out normal, until Robert decided to step outside and get some fresh air. As he walked from the front door to the back, a vehicle knocked him to the ground at which point the driver, (who shall now be referred to as “the coward”), hit the accelerator, dragging Robert under the vehicle for quite a distance, before Robert’s body was finally dislodged from the under carriage.

Robert only remembers a great big truck tire coming at him, as he screamed for his life, scrambling to save himself. Thankfully, that’s all he remembered.
The coward then drove around the building, close enough to take another look at his/her handy work, and then sped off.

Battered, bloodied, broken and bruised, Robert lies unconscious on the side of the road for 15-20 minutes in the freezing December weather, until miraculously a former CCHS classmate was walking by, saw him, and called 911.

Two local police officers responded, called for AMR, and then did interviews with the remaining patrons at the Oliver Tap. Guess what? Nobody saw anything. Nobody heard his screams. Not a single witness, to what the coward did. Like a bad movie.
Now, less than 48 hours from the time of the incident, the case has gone cold. At least that’s what the local police are saying. Is there more the police could do? We believe there is. They could go back and talk to the bartenders, and get the names of their regulars who have trucks or SUVs, and interview them, and check out the vehicles. They could contact wheel alignment shops/detail shops and ask if anything unusual has come in. Or, maybe take the treads from the vehicle in question, and match them up with all vehicles at the Oliver Tap every Friday and Saturday night, or use their technology to identify the make of tire from the tread marks to at least know what type of vehicle to be looking for. They could go door to door to every single business and/or residence surrounding the Oliver Tap asking questions. The possibilities are endless.

Robert sustained multiple deep lacerations to his head and face and hypothermia. His arms and legs were skinned through his clothing onto the road. A plastic surgeon had to be brought in to address his face and left ear. But… he is alive.

To: the coward… The simple fact that you haven’t turned yourself in yet, shows us your true colors. What are you thinking? How can you possibly enjoy this holiday season, knowing what you’ve done? So you were drinking that night, and didn’t want to get in trouble? Do you realize who you ran over? You ran over the man who volunteered countless hours bailing flood waters out of the local businesses during the flood. You drug under your vehicle, the man who with his own two hands, built several retaining walls around homes in town after the flood. You injured the man who was there aiding injured spectators during the fireworks incident. In short, you ran over and left for dead on the side of the road, one of Charles City’s Hometown Hero’s. So, shame on you for running away like a coward. And shame on anyone else that knows what you did and doesn’t step forward with the truth. There’s still time. Do the right thing.

To The Local Police: Please be diligent on this case. Please work this case every day until it’s resolved. Please don’t give up too soon. We know some of you have children. So we know you feel it.

To the Community of Charles City:
Please spread the word. Please share this story. Please help.
Donations can be dropped off at 1st Citizen’s National Bank in Robert Lanenga’s name. But more than anything, we just want whoever did this to come forward.

To our friends all over the Country and World who have already reached out with their thoughts and prayers. We thank you and appreciate the kindness and love you have already shown Robert and his family. If you’d like to help by sending a few dollars to help defray what will undoubtedly be mountains of medical bills, and costs of living during Roberts recovery. You can mail or contact the 1st Citizen’s National Bank at 300 N Main St, Charles City, IA 50616
(641) 228-5315

While tragic, we hope you will take a moment to share Robert’s story in hopes the coward will either come forward of his own volition, or be brought to justice through help from a witness or someone hearing something helpful to the case.

Our thanks for your kindness, love and concern, and all our hopes and prayers to you,

The family and friends of Robert Lanenga

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IF ANYONE HAS INFORMATION ON THE INCIDENT OR THE VEHICLE WHICH LEFT THE SCENE, CONTACT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AT (641) 228-3366 OF THE ANONYMOUS TIP LINE AT (641) 257-6303. THERE IS A REWARD OFFERED FOR UP TO $1000 FOR INFORMATION THAT WOULD SOLVE THE CASE WITH THE IDENTITY OF THE DRIVER.