Family begs hit and run driver to surrender after boy dies

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Saturday, July 23, 2016
Family wants answers after deadly hit and run accident
A family wants answers after a deadly hit and run accident.

HOUSTON -- The family of two children struck by a hit-and-run driver in north Harris County is pleading for that driver to surrender.



"He or she needs to come forward ... so my son can rest," said Jayden Aguilar's mother, Kelly Holder. The five-year-old boy was killed after he and a two-year-old relative slid under a fence chasing a ball that had sailed over it onto Fallbrook Drive.



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A hit and run accident claimed the life of a little boy and left his younger relative injured.


Original report: Two boys struck by car in N. Harris Co.

One child is confirmed dead following a hit-and-run in NW Harris Co.


Jayden's uncle, Osbaldo Aguilar,was there with the boys playing catch last night.



Search underway for the hit and run driver who killed one little boy and injured another.


When the boys ran into the roadway, a driver slammed into the two children. He says Jayden tried to push the younger boy out of the way. Osbaldo Aguilar says he tried to help, but it was too late.



VIDEO: Hit and run victim's final moments caught on camera

Little Jayden Aguilar spent his last moments on earth with family at a park in north Harris County


Jayden Aguilar
Jayden Aguilar (left) is seen alongside his sister (back) and his relative, who was also injured in the hit and run accident
Aguilar


"When I went back to Jayden, he was not breathing at all. That's when I realized that God had gained an angel," he said.



Two-year-old Jeremiah Aguilar was taken to Texas Children's Hospital. Osbaldo says Jeremiah has a broken leg, but is recovering.





A field of debris could be found near where little Jayden died. Parts of the suspect's vehicle strewn along the grass.



Family member Doris Aguilar says that driver carelessly drove off without stopping.



VIDEO: Family pleads for driver to turn themselves in

The boys' aunt, Doris Aguilar, says the driver needs to turn themselves in to officers


"Whoever caused this, if he has a heart, [he needs] to come forward," Aguilar says.



Deputies say they are looking for a dark-colored orange or red pickup or SUV, believed to be a Chevy Avalanche, according to a witness.



The vehicle would have some minor front-end damage, but deputies aren't certain the extent of the vehicle's damage.



VIDEO: Hit and run driver sought


A 5-year-old boy is dead and his 3-year-old relative is in the hospital after a hit and run driver plowed into the two boys and then drove off


Jayden is not the first child to be killed near Doss Park. Just yards away, five-year-old Nathaly Coreas was hit by a vehicle while walking home from the park in 2006. Her family convinced Harris County to add a stop light and crosswalk there. Now Jayden's family says something needs to be done to reinforce the fence between the park and traffic so no one else gets hurt or killed.



"There's a fence and they can get underneath it," said Jayden's mother Kelly Holder.



The county says this is an ongoing problem: people will cut the straps and ties that secure the bottom of the fence in order to make it easier to get in and out of the park, never realizing the danger they create by doing so.



Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Jack Cagle has asked parks staff for recommendations on making the fence more secure.



If you know anything about the has which can help detectives, you can call the Harris Count Sheriff's Office or Crimestoppers.



The family has set up a GoFundMe page to help offset Jayden's funeral expenses. If you'd like to help, you can donate here.

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