MIAMI (WSVN) - Rescue crews took a 7-year-old boy to the hospital after, officials said, he was struck by a hit-and-run driver in a Miami neighborhood.
City of Miami Police and Fire Rescue units responded to the scene along Northwest Sixth Court, in the middle of the block between 69th and 71st streets, just after 7:15 p.m., Monday.
Rescue crews transported 7-year-old Jalen Smith, who was conscious and alert, to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center. The boy is expected to be OK.
7News cameras captured paramedics wheeling the child into the hospital.
Smith spoke to 7News Tuesday and said he had a message for the driver.
“You should turn yourself in,” he said.
Detectives said the child was playing football in the street when he was struck by the vehicle.
“I caught the ball and was walking across the street,” Smith said. “The car just came and hit me.”
Smith’s brother, Desmond Beckham, was also outside playing and witnessed the hit-and-run. He said the vehicle was swerving.
“It was on the side, and then the car was doing like that,” Beckham said. “The wheels were moving and moving.”
Smith’s face was visibly swollen and bruised after the incident.
7News cameras captured the 7-year-old as he was released from the hospital, Tuesday night.
“I’m feeling good,” he told 7News.
His family said they are grateful he didn’t break anything or have any internal bleeding following the incident.
“It was a blessing to me because any child could not make it like that,” said Shantavia Smith, the victim’s mom.
The 7-year-old’s mother said she just wants to know why the driver didn’t try to help her son.
“He could have stopped to make sure my baby was still breathing,” she said, “but he didn’t — or she didn’t — and just kept going.”
Police described the driver’s vehicle as possibly being a newer four-door silver Chevy Impala or Malibu.
The boy’s grandfather had a message for the driver responsible.
“Just a question I have for the driver,” said Robert Williamston. “How did you sleep last night? Or did you sleep at all? Inquiring minds want to know.”
The child is set to be released from the hospital after being treated for road rash.
“From what I was informed, he hit my grandson, he stopped the car behind him, the person got out and then he just took off,” Williamston said, “so he wasn’t concerned.”
Detectives are now looking for leads that could help them find the person responsible.
“To the driver, you need to come clean,” Williamston said. “You really need to come clean, cause somewhere inside of you, you do have a heart and you definitely have a conscious. We all have one. You will be caught.”
If you have any information on this hit-and-run, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $1,000 reward.
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