Hit and run driver struck teen waiting for bus before school

(1/24/06 - KTRK/HOUSTON) (KTRK) -- A teen is hospitalized, recovering from his injuries. He was run over on his way to school. The driver took off and officers think it could be an act of retaliation.

Police think it may not have been an accident when a teen plowed into a group of Welch Middle School students Tuesday morning. Witnesses say the driver of the car veered off the road and into the students, striking a 14-year-old boy before fleeing the scene.

HPD Officer Paul Wyssbrod said, "They took (the victim) to Southwest Memorial (Hospital). I think he had a sprained ankle and some minor injuries."

But police believe this was no accident.

"Talking with some witnesses we found out there's some tension between the juveniles, some words exchanged back and forth," said Officer Wyssbrod.

The witnesses led police down the street to an apartment complex where a green Mustang was parked. After matching up a broken mirror and finding the victim's gum on the windshield, police are confident they found the right vehicle.

"The eyewitness that we have saw the driver," said Officer Wyssbrod. "He knows the driver. He's seen him before at school. He knew exactly where to go. He took us right to the vehicle."

The mother of the 16-year-old driver says her son dropped off his keys and took off. Neighbors at the apartment were stunned.

"Hit a little kid and didn't stop and kept on going? That has to be bad," said neighbor Jackie Montalvo. "You have to have no feelings at all to just do that."

But police say the teen's mother is cooperating and it's only a matter of time before they find him.
(Copyright © 2006, KTRK-TV)

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