Leominster police search for a man they say drove over a 17-year-old cyclist, stopped to dislodge the teen's bicycle from his car, then fled the scene.

Both of the teen's legs were broken, leaving him in the hospital in a wheelchair, police said.

The crash happened around 9 p.m. Monday on North Main Street in Leominster. The victim's friend, who was riding alongside him, witnessed the event.

The witness told police the pair was crossing North Main Street, when the driver of a silver or grey car turned right onto the street. The driver looked left to check for traffic, but apparently did not look right to see the cyclists.

Police said the driver "gunned" the engine, turning right and running over one of the teens. The driver kept going, dragging the bicycle under his car.

A short distance away, on State Street, the driver pulled over into a parking area. He dislodged the bike, then threw it over a fence into the Nashua River, police said.

Police are looking for anyone who might have seen the crash, or the man throwing away the bicycle. A cash reward is being offered.

"Hopefully a cash reward isn't needed in this case and good, decent, human kindness is the motivating factor to bring this coward to justice," Leominster police said on their Facebook page.

Site of Monday evening hit-and-run: