An online fundraiser has been launched to help a grieving family after 4-year-old Heitor Carreira was killed in a hit-and-run collision in Richmond on Friday.
“Heitor was an energetic kid, always with a big smile,” according to the GoFundMe fundraiser. “It is a devastating event that his parents and sister had to witness his incident and death. A family should never experience the loss of a child at a young age.”
His parents, Mauro and Jaiane Carreiro, are asking the public to help donate any amount to help cover medical and funeral expenses for Heitor.
The family released a heartbreaking video with photos and video from Heitor’s far-too-brief life.
Heitor was fatally struck by an older-model Ford Explorer at 5 p.m. Friday in the 2200 block of Coalinga Ave. He had been standing with his father on the avenue outside the family’s home when the collision occurred. The SUV didn’t stop and fled the scene. Heitor was airlifted to the hospital, but died from his injuries at 11:50 p.m. Friday.
After Richmond police shared surveillance images of the suspect vehicle online, prompting thousands of shared by community members and the media, the suspect surrendered to police on Saturday night and was arrested. The suspect has not yet been identified.
