New Details Released In Hit-And-Run Crash That Killed 12-Year-Old Boy: Stamford Police

STAMFORD, CT — Stamford police say they have identified a suspect in the hit-and-run crash that killed a 12-year-old boy on a mini bike on Aug. 2.

"Using several investigative techniques, officers from all divisions of the Stamford Police Department worked to, and were able to, identify the suspect vehicle, as well as the suspected operator," police said in an update late Sunday night.

Investigators believed the vehicle was a silver 2003-2005 silver Honda Accord based on evidence gathered at the scene.

The Stamford Police Department's Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Squad (CARS) obtained a search and seizure warrant for a vehicle they believe belongs to the suspect.

The suspect vehicle was located and removed from the suspect's home, and it's now in the custody of the Stamford Police Department, police said.

The suspected driver, a 41-year-old Stamford resident, would not speak to officers without an attorney present, police noted. The man's identity is not being released at this time, and he has not yet been charged.

"CARS will continue to work with the Stamford Prosecutor's Office in order to conduct a full investigation and obtain an arrest warrant for the suspect operator," police said.

The crash occurred in the 300 block of Courtland Avenue on Aug. 2 at approximately 8:47 p.m., according to police.

The boy was riding the mini bike southbound on Courtland Avenue with a family member who was on a scooter, police said.

They pulled out of the travel lane and over to the shoulder for an unknown reason, police said.

As they were sitting on the side of the road, a vehicle struck the mini bike, causing the boy to be thrown into the yard of a private residence, police said.

Two neighbors who lived in the area heard the collision and came out to perform CPR until the fire department and EMS personnel took over.

"Despite a valiant effort by neighbors, the Stamford Fire Department, Stamford EMS and Stamford Hospital ED personnel, the victim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at Stamford Hospital," police said.

The boy's identity is being withheld due to his age.

Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons, Superintendent of Stamford Public Schools Dr. Tamu Lucero and Board of Education President Michael Hyman issued a joint statement on the incident on Sunday.

"Last night, a hit and run accident in the Glenbrook neighborhood claimed the life of a child from our community. We are heartbroken to confirm that this young person -- whose name is being withheld due his age and out of his respect for his family -- was a middle school student in Stamford Public Schools. Losing a child is every family's worst nightmare, and we offer our deepest condolences to this young man's parents, siblings, extended family, and friends," the joint statement said.

On Sunday morning, school district leaders spoke with the principal of the child's school, as well as the principals at the schools his siblings attend, the Stamford officials noted.

Personnel from the SPS Office of Family and Community Engagement, City of Stamford Postvention Taskforce, and the District's social work team also reached out to the family to offer support and assistance.

"This is a painful loss for Stamford Public Schools and the entire Stamford community," the officials added. "We ask you to keep this young man's family and friends in your thoughts and prayers."

Editor's note: This post has been corrected to reflect the correct age of the boy who died. Police initially said the boy was 13; Stamford Public Schools confirmed with Patch he was 12.