Teenager Hospitalized After Being Struck by Vehicle While Avoiding Dogs

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NASSAU , BAHAMAS – 15-year-old Dino Pinto Jr. was on his way to work when his mother says he tried to avoid a pack of dogs and ended up in the path of a vehicle. Now, she’s demanding justice.

What was supposed to be a normal Friday morning for Dino ended with the 15-year-old in the hospital.

His mother, Nakaya Knowles, says Dino was walking along Robinson Road to catch a number 19 bus to his summer job when he heard dogs barking near the road.

She says her son tried to get away from the dogs, and as he moved into the road, one vehicle slowed down to let him cross.

But Knowles says another vehicle then struck him.

The next thing Dino remembers is waking up in the hospital.

Nakaya Knowles – Mother of Dino Pinto Jr.

“On my way coming, I was running off the road because I was in shock to see my child on the road, on the floor, knocked out of his shoes. And a guy from the opposite side of traffic stopped his vehicle. Stopped him out of his busy schedule, headed to work, stopped to assist with my child.”

These images, shared by the teen’s mother, show some of the injuries she says Dino sustained in the collision.

But for Knowles, it’s what she says happened after her son was hit that has left her just as upset.

She claims the driver did not immediately come over to help Dino and says her attempts to get answers from the driver went nowhere.

Frustrated, she took her concerns to social media, which is how Our News learned about the incident.

Nakaya Knowles – Mother of Dino Pinto Jr.

“I said, ‘Since you know me with R,’ I saying she probably might be traumatized or shocked. ‘Well, can I get your contact and we would just try to talk, and you explain to me what happened?’ ‘Oh, no. I’m not giving you my contact because I don’t wanna be on Facebook.’ So I said, ‘Can I at least get your name? Because you knocked down a whole child. What you mean you don’t wanna be on Facebook?'”

And while in the neighborhood, Our News spoke with longtime resident Martin Pinder, who says he witnessed the incident.

He says the dogs have been a concern in the area for some time.

Martin Pinder – Resident

“When the dog started to bark, the young man jumped off the sidewalk.”

Martin Pinder – Resident

“His dog attacked me and bit me, and I tried to warn him of that. Now you see what happened.”

Our News also reached out to the Royal Bahamas Police Force Traffic Division. Police confirmed they are aware of the incident and say the matter remains under investigation.

So, as Dino recovers in hospital, the investigation continues into exactly what led to the collision and whether anyone will be held responsible.