14-YO critically injured in apparent hit & run near Fruitvale BART station

Image 1 of 4

A 14-year-old boy riding a bicycle was struck by a vehicle Wednesday in Oakland in what appears to be a hit and-run-collision, according to officials. 

The boy was taken to the hospital and is listed in critical condition. He suffered broken bones and internal injuries when he was dragged four blocks, according to police. Oakland police said the call of the crash on the 1100 block of 35th Avenue near the Fruitvale BART Station came in at 12:23 p.m.

Police said the driver eventually stopped, causing the boy to be dislodged from underneath the gold  Honda. The driver and his female passenger then drove away, a witness said. In a statement issued Wednesday night, police said the suspect vehicle was located nearby, but was abandoned.

Finally, when the car stopped in the 900 block of 34th Avenue, the teen was able to finally free himself from the undercarriage.

"I had no idea he was 14, and they say he's in critical condition, I didn't know!" said witness Charlie Green, whose auto repair shop is steps away from where the the injured child was dumped. 

Green started videotaping with his cell phone because he thought the scene looked suspicious. 

He saw someone sprawled on the ground, injured, and a man and woman outside their car and switching places so she'd be driving - not him. 

"They told bystanders the young man crumpled on the street had been hit by a car- and to call help," Green said. "That's what the woman said, that he got hit. I had no idea she was the one that hit him. Then I asked the guy, 'Did they hit you?' And he said 'Yeah they did it.' By that time, they were gone." 

The couple drove off but ditched the vehicle a short distance away and disappeared. 

"He was groaning, he seemed like he was in pain, I didn't want to touch him, but he was conscious and moving a bit," Green said. 

Only later did Green realize how young he was and how much he had suffered, being dragged such a distance. 

"For four blocks?" said Green, shaking his head, "Oh my God I feel real bad now, I feel bad."

 

The Oakland Police Department and Crime Stoppers of Oakland are offering a reward up to $5, 000 for any information leading to an arrest in this case.

Potential witnesses should call OPD's Traffic Investigative Section at (510) 777-8570.