A suspect has been arrested and the vehicle located in connection with the fatal hit-and-run collision that killed 4-year-old Heitor in Richmond on Friday, police said.
The suspect, who has not yet been identified, turned themselves into police at 7 p.m. Saturday night, and was booked on charges of hit and run resulting in death, according to police and NBC Bay Area.
The Richmond Police Department is crediting the media and community for playing a part in identifying the suspect and vehicle. RPD released surveillance images of the suspect vehicle online that were shared widely by the media and community members.
The fatal collision occurred at 5 p.m. Friday in the 2200 block of Coalinga Ave. The child was near his father when the vehicle, described as an older Ford Explorer, struck him and left the scene.
Heitor’s devastated mother, Jaiane Carreiro, told NBC Bay Area she is grateful for those who did stop to try to help her son, including Richmond residents Greg and Louise Ollana, who “grabbed a first aid kit and attempted to keep the boy alive,” the news station reported.
Heitor was airlifted to the hospital in critical condition but died later that evening, police said.
“RPD is grateful for the outpouring of support from our community in helping us bring this driver to justice,” police said. “Thank you from RPD and from the victims family for helping them achieve some closure.”
