Arrest Made In Oakland Hit & Run Crash That Injured Teen Bicyclist
OAKLAND (CBS SF) -- An arrest has been made in last week's hit-and-run crash that left a teenage boy hospitalized with critical injuries after his bicycle was struck and he was dragged for blocks.
Oakland police said a suspect was taken into custody Wednesday; a second suspect was still being sought.
"We do indeed have a person of interest in custody. We know there's one other person out there," said Oakland Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick. "So, I'm going to plead with you right now. Turn yourself in. Call us or come down because it's only a matter of time."
The incident happened on January 2 near the Fruitvale BART station. The 14-year-old boy was hit and dragged for four blocks, finally getting dislodged from the vehicle when the driver suddenly stopped.
The crime and its aftermath were caught on cell phone video. The teenager can be seen lying in the street, writhing in pain and pleading for someone to call 911 for help. A man and woman get out of the car, pause briefly to check on the victim and then drive off, leaving the boy in the roadway.
Officers located the suspect vehicle near the scene of the incident, but it was abandoned.
Oakland police had scheduled a news conference for noon Wednesday but then canceled it late in the morning. They said the cancellation was "in the interest of preserving the integrity of the investigation."
Kirkpatrick visited the victim and his family Wednesday at Children's Hospital in Oakland where he is recovering but still in critical condition. She emerged from the hospital with praise for his strength and resilience.
"This young man is critically injured. And he is one tough guy. I'm just so impressed with how smart he is -- how much of a fighter he's showing in his recovery," Chief Kirkpatrick said.
Kirkpatrick said she hopes the victim's long and painful recovery is made a little easier by news of an arrest.
"I really hope these individuals - that their conscience has been pierced this last week," said Kirkpatrick.
Police did not release the name or any other information about the one suspect they have in custody. The Oakland Police Department and Crime Stoppers of Oakland were offering a reward up to $5,000 for any information leading to an arrest in the case.