    ACCORDING TO INITIAL POLICE INVESTIGATION,  ON DECEMBER 28, 1996 THE DECEASED WAS SITTING ON A BUS BENCH AT THE CORNER OF W. 12TH AVENUE & 55TH STREET WHEN A VEHICLE TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON 12TH AVENUE RAN OFF THE ROADWAY AND STRUCK HIM CAUSING HIS DEMISE.  THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE FLED THE SCENE.