10 Year Old Boy Killed In Hit And Run

 

CREDIT: realtor.com

Kevin Mendola (37) has been arrested and charged after allegedly fleeing the scene of an accident that left a 10-year-old boy dead in Cheektowaga, New York.

Mendola was allegedly in Griffith Park with his girlfriend and her son. The son told Mendola that two girls shot at him with a BB gun. Mendola and the son then went driving around the find them. They found the girls and a crowd formed near the park.

Mendola then tried to back up out of traffic and backed into 10-year-old Mikey Conklin who was standing next to his bike. Mendola then pulled forward and ran over Conklin again. Mendola allegedly got out of his vehicle to assist Conklin but then drove away.

Police caught up with him a mile (1.6km) away.

Mendola has been charged with two felonies. Leaving the scene of an incident resulting in death and criminally negligent homicide.

It has been reported that what Mendola knew after backing up could upgrade the second charge to second degree manslaughter.

District Attorney John Flynn said, "In my mind, I'm looking at whether or not it was reckless, I have no reason to believe he intentionally ran the kid over. You hit something when you back up, is it reckless now to pull forward. Most people would probably say yes."

Dale Hanson says he and his brother were close. "There is nothing in this world that will ever replace the smile, the joy, everything that boy meant to us and our community."

"I ask everybody in Buffalo [New York] to hold your children tight and I pray nothing like this happens again."

The investigation is ongoing.

Mendola was arraigned on Friday morning, with a bail set for $50,000. He will return to court on Tuesday for a felony hearing.

Police ask for witnesses to come forward with what they saw.

Conklin's family have set up a GoFundMe page in order to cover the funeral expenses. They will also hold a candlelight vigil in Griffith Park to honour Conklin Saturday evening. They say everyone is welcome.