A 13-year-old boy has been killed and his little brother is fighting for his life after a car being driven by their mother was hit by a hit-and-run driver.
The LAPD is still searching for the male driver who hit her, who fled on foot after his car burst into flames.
Chris Amaya-Pineda, 13, his sister Jade, 16, and little brother Damian, two, were walking with their mother Debbie, 35, to their grandmother’s house when their car was hit by a Mercedes that was flashing red the traffic light had gone.
The crash happened just before 8 a.m., after which all four victims were taken to Harbor UCLA Medical Center.
Chris was pronounced dead upon arrival and his brother is now fighting for his life, the LAPD said.
Her mother was initially admitted to an intensive care unit but was transferred to a recovery room on Wednesday. Jade was able to return home with only minor injuries.
Chris Amaya-Pineda (right), 13, was killed and his little brother Damian (left), two, is fighting for his life after a car being driven by their mother was hit by a hit-and-run driver
The male suspect fled after his car (above right) caught fire
The accident happened at 7:55 a.m. on January 9 in the area of Main Street and 111th Place, just two blocks from the family home.
A silver Mercedes four-door sedan was speeding south down Main Street when it struck the family’s SUV, the LAPD said in a statement. The impact threw her car over the curb and into a parked car.
The Mercedes collided with two parked cars before catching fire. The suspect, who is believed to have been seriously injured, then fled without making any attempt to help any of the family members.
Police said Monday the 13-year-old and his little brother needed resuscitation after suffering cardiac arrest.
Her mother was initially admitted to an intensive care unit but was transferred to a recovery room on Wednesday. Jade was able to return home with only minor injuries
Police said Monday the 13-year-old and his little brother Damian (pictured) needed resuscitation after suffering cardiac arrest
The driver initially appeared remorseful but quickly fled without helping the family
“I remember when I woke up my body was really sore and they told me my brother died and my mother would be fine,” Sister Jade told KTLA 5.
“I know my brother doesn’t want me to be sad, so I try to be strong for him,” she added.
“He was really nice. I need people to keep praying for my little brother because I really need him to survive and I can’t lose another brother.”
A witness told NBCLA that the Mercedes went through the intersection on a red light.
The driver appeared remorseful but then drove off, the witness said. “I’ve never seen anyone be so heartless — like cut and go like that,” she said through tears.
A GoFundMe page was set up by Debbie’s sister in hopes of raising money to help pay for Chris’ funeral
The driver appeared repentant but then drove off to help one of the family members, the witness said
A GoFundMe page was set up by Debbie’s sister in hopes of raising money for the funeral expenses.
“Funeral expenses possibly for two people instead of one, medical expenses for four, physical therapy in the coming months, loss of vehicle, rebuilding and restoring their families’ spiritual foundation and solidarity as they try to restore what they have,” she wrote .
“If there’s a miracle, the doctors say he’ll most likely be paralyzed,” Julie Amaya, Chris’ aunt, told KTLA in reference to Damian. ‘He won’t be the same little Damian that was before.’
The LAPD is asking witnesses to contact the department to help identify a suspect.
“He has to take responsibility for what he did,” said Julie Amaya. “The family is torn apart. Just think about what you want someone to do for you. Please just help us. We ask for help.’