Gary Police Might Have Found Truck That Struck, Killed Teen
GARY, Ind. (CBS) -- Police in Gary, Ind., said they might have found the truck involved in a hit-and-run that killed a 13-year-old boy this weekend.
WBBM Newsradio's Veronica Carter reports Malik Herron was walking with his friend in the 4900 block of Vermont Street Saturday night, when a large, dark-colored vehicle left the road and struck both boys. Herron died, his friend was only slightly hurt.
"It was a beautiful day; they were just out walking down the street, enjoying the weather. That's all," said Gary Police Cpl. Gabrielle King. "They weren't on the street. They were on the easement, and a driver going down the street left the roadway, struck both of the children."
King said details were sketchy at first because the boy who survived was able to get up and run home.
"The one who's still alive got up, ran to his house, and told his parents what happened. Immediately his parents took him to the hospital," she said.
When they called police, officers already were aware that Herron had been struck and killed.
"They were dealing with a fatality, and it was kind of by accident that they heard about the other boy that was there," King said.
Police have since confiscated a truck that might have been involved, according to King.
"We have a vehicle of interest, but we still have to do some investigating to determine if, in fact, it is the vehicle we're looking for," King said. "No one's in custody, no arrests."
Investigators don't believe the boys were struck on purpose.
"You have all kind of driver distractions, driver inattention; you know, could have been doing anything. It's no telling at this point," she said.
Herron died from blunt force trauma. The other boy was treated for injuries not considered to be life-threatening.