Police arrest suspected driver in hit and run that killed boy in Escondido – San Diego Union-Tribune

A man suspected in the hit-and-run death of an 11-year-old boy in Escondido was arrested Saturday, police said.

Hector Balderas Amador, 44, was booked into Vista jail on a charge of felony hit-and-run in the death of Aiden Antonio Torres De Paz, police said. The alleged vehicle involved in the crash was also recovered, police said.

Aiden was struck in front of his house on East Washington Avenue near North Hickory Street about 5 p.m. Nov. 26. Witnesses told police that the boy ran into the street to retrieve a soccer ball, police said. The driver fled the scene, police said.

Aiden died at a hospital.

Investigators asked for the public’s help in identifying the suspected driver.

“We are grateful and appreciative for the trust and partnership our police department shares with the community, which aided in the identification and arrest of the driver in this tragic incident,” Police Chief Ken Plunkett said in a statement.

No further information was released Saturday.

A verified GoFundMe created to help the boy’s family states the boy was “a beloved child full of life, love, and innocence.”