Quincy patrol car hits man

79-year-old barber in critical condition

A 79-year-old barber was in critical condition Wednesday after being struck by a Quincy patrol car responding to a medical emergency as he crossed the street, police said.

Giovanni “John” Angelucci was crossing Independence Avenue near Goddard Street shortly before 7:30 a.m. when he was hit by a patrol car responding to a call about a person who was being given CPR, Quincy police said.

Angelucci was rushed to Boston Medical Center, where a spokeswoman said he remained in critical condition as of 5 p.m.

The driver has been put on temporary paid leave while the Weymouth Police Crash Reconstruction Unit investigates the incident, said Sgt. Karyn Barkas, a Quincy police spokeswoman. However, she would not release the officer’s name or say how long he or she has been on the force.

The police car’s emergency lights were on at the time of the crash, Barkas said, but she would not say whether the car’s siren was also on.

Weymouth police Capt. Rick Fuller said the investigation could take several days, but he declined to comment further.

Robert Marchionne, who owns an Independence Avenue insurance business near the crash scene, said he has known Angelucci as a client for about 40 years.

“He’s just a nice, nice, nice man, sweet as can be,” he said. “I’m just praying for his recovery. You feel bad for him. You feel bad for the police officer who hit him. It’s a horrible situation. Nobody deserves that. And when it’s somebody you know, it hits even closer to home.”

Angelucci was born in Italy, Marchionne said, and, despite his age, still worked at his Quincy Center barber shop, John’s Hairstyling, which was closed Wednesday.

Angelucci used to live near the scene of the incident but moved years ago to Braintree with his wife, Joanne, Marchionne said.

Neighbors on his cul-desac said he was the last to build there, and his Italian-revival home stood out among the Cape Cods and other houses.