DETROIT (WWJ) - Police are continuing their search for a driver who allegedly took off after striking an 11-year-old boy as he was walking home from a Detroit recreation center last month.
As reported by WXYZ, Amari Green, 11, was walking to his home on Detroit's east side on Jan. 24 when he was hit by a vehicle near E. State Fair and Hayes Streets.
Green, a rising young athlete, had just finished a game of basketball at the Heilmann Recreation Center and had the right-of-way to cross the road.
He was almost to the other side when he said a vehicle appeared out of nowhere.
"I didn't even see the car... I was almost across the street and I got hit," Green told WXYZ.
The driver did not stop and fled the area as the 11-year-old crawled to the sidewalk. Another driver stopped at the scene and called for help.
Green was rushed to a local hospital with a strained neck and other injuries related to road rash while his mother, Arkesha Merriweather, was notified of the incident by Detroit police.
She said not a day before, Green had been honored with the Distinguished Service Award from the city of Detroit for his involvement in an all-star football team who had clinched a national championship.
The family had just moved from Arizona back to Merriweather's hometown of Detroit in 2023.
"There was a big ceremony where he got to meet the city council and everybody. That took place on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the police (were) at my door saying he was ran over in the street and I'm like oh, my God," Merriweather told WXYZ.
While his injuries are preventing him from playing right now, Green says he hopes to recover quickly and make his return to the football field and the basketball court.
Detroit police are still investigating the incident. So far, a description of the suspect vehicle has not been released. Green's family have asked residents in the area to check any home surveillance footage for anything suspicious between 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Jan. 24.
Anyone with any information connected to the case has been asked to contact the Detroit Police Department at 313-596-5200 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.
Those who wish to submit tips through Crime Stoppers will remain 100% anonymous.
