Police Look for Driver in Hit-and-Run of Child

Police Look for Driver in Hit-and-Run of Child


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Sandra Yi and Lance Bandley ReportingA nine-year old boy is recovering after being hit by a car yesterday. The driver of that car didn't stop and police are still looking for that person.

The good news is, 9-year old Carlos Martinez is back home from the hospital. He and his sister were in a crosswalk when they were hit by the car. The family hopes the driver won't get away with it.

Carlos Martinez was looking forward to the last day of school, but he spent it in the hospital.

Police Look for Driver in Hit-and-Run of Child

Carlos Martinez: "There was a big party. Missed it."

He showed us the road rash on his side. He has cuts and scrapes on his arms and legs and stiches on his forehead.

Carlos Martinez: "They had to scrub all the dirt off and they put medicine that burned."

Yesterday afternoon, Carlos and his little sister were in the crosswalk at Indiana and Emery, when they were hit by a car heading west.

Carlos Martinez: "All the cars stopped except one, and then it slammed on its brakes and I fell."

The driver didn't stop. Witnesses said the driver sped away so fast, they weren't able to get a license plate number. Police say, without one, hit and run cases are nearly impossible to solve.

Det. Joe Cyr, Salt Lake City Police Dept.: "Unless we have somebody who comes forward and says, 'I did it, I'm sorry,' it's going to be an extremely hard case to crack."

That's hard for Carlos and his mother to hear.

Brenda Neria, Carlos' Mother: "He was really in severe pain. He's been through a lot. He doesn't deserve any of this."

She and her son are pleading for the driver to come forward.

Carlos Martinez: "If I was him, I'd stop and say sorry, and I would call 9-1-1 for him."

Brenda Neria: "Please turn yourself in and be responsible. You hurt this little boy. It could have been a lot worse. I'm just glad he's okay."

Carlos' sister had minor injuries. She was able to go to school today.

Again, police don't have much to go on. The car is described as a gray or light green sedan. It may have some front end damage. If you have any information, call Salt Lake City Police.

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