Community Rallies Around Boy Who Could Lose Leg Hurt In Castro Valley Hit-And-Run
CASTRO VALLEY (CBS SF) -- As Castro Valley police investigators on Thursday continued to search for the driver who struck a 6-year-old boy earlier this week, the community was rallying behind the child and his family.
Neighbors were putting together a gift basket for the injured 6 year old.
"I'm gonna fill this up as much as I can," said Linda Cervantes. "There's snack bars, chips, fruit, cookies."
The basket also includes books and gift cards in the hopes it will brighten the little boy's spirits.
To let them know we're here for them as neighbors, said Cervantes when asked about the reasoning behind the gift. If they need anything, we're here for them.
"It breaks my heart. I can't even imagine," said Laurel Landgraf, another neighbor.
The crash was the result of a car theft.
Surveillance footage caught four men stealing cars from a Livermore dealership early Monday morning.
Later that day, one man crashed a stolen car in Castro Valley, pinning the boy's left leg against a utility pole. He and his family were walking to school.
The 6-year-old could lose his leg.
The suspect, 29-year-old Daniel Morris, took off running.
Cervantes and other neighbors rushed to help. She says the boy's mother was extremely calm and comforting.
"It broke my heart," remembered Cervantes. "The little boy kept saying 'Mom, I'm not going to make it.' And we kept reassuring him he's going to make it, that he was going to be okay."
The CHP and sheriff's deputies are searching for the suspect. They believe he is in hiding with the help of friends.
"This is a top priority for a lot of people," said CHP Officer Daniel Jacowitz. "This young boy has suffered. His family is suffering. And it would be nice to bring closure in this situation."
Neighbors were still adding to the gift basket Thursday evening. They plan to drop it off Friday night.