Merced boy killed in hit-and-run crash identified

MERCED, Calif. (KFSN) -- The Merced County coroner's office has identified the little boy killed in a hit-and-run crash Monday evening as 3-year-old Santos Alvarez. He lived in Merced.

Police are now following leads and trying to find the driver who left the scene.

The McDonald's at 13th and R streets in Merced became a crime scene on Monday. Police say a father was helping his son, Santos Alvarez, get out of the car when the 3-year-old slipped away and ran into the parking lot. That's when a white pickup truck crashed into the toddler.

"Unfortunately that person didn't stay at the scene; they left the scene and police are now searching video surveillance from the area to try to locate that driver and also asking the public's help to try to find that driver so we can get some justice for the family in this matter," said Lt. Andre Matthews of the Merced Police Department.

The father rushed his little boy to Mercy Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

"It was sad to hear this happened," said Liz Trujillo of Merced. "Last night when I came home from work, I could see the police presence, and then I found out the full story this morning."

Trujillo lives nearby and says it's easy to see how the crash could happen in a heartbeat.

"As a bus driver, that happens to me a lot too. They run out in front of you. You always have to be aware, but in a situation like this, it's just terrible," she said.

Police say it likely would have been ruled a tragic accident if only the driver had stayed at the scene. Now they're asking witnesses to come forward with information.

"We know there are people who saw what happened and they may even know who the driver was in this accident, so we'd like to contact them," said Lt. Matthews.

A relative of the little boy has commented on Facebook that she and her family are devastated and they're hoping the driver is caught.

The suspect's vehicle is described as a white pickup truck, possibly an older model Ford F-150, with some type of equipment in the back.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Merced Police Department at (209) 385-4725.