8-year-old hit, dragged across road

By Staff (89971)

Tuesday, April 18, 2006
© Copyright 2013 Gwinnett Daily Post

LAWRENCEVILLE - An 8-year-old boy run over by a hit-and-run driver while riding his bicycle Easter Sunday was recovering in the hospital Monday, according to police.

The boy, whose name was not released because he is a juvenile, was listed in stable condition at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite. His lower left arm, which was nearly severed in the accident, has been reattached by doctors, said Cpl. Darren Moloney, spokesman for the Gwinnett County Police Department.

Authorities said the boy was riding his bicycle in Gwinnett Mobile Home Park in Loganville at dusk Sunday when he was struck by a full-size cargo van. The alleged driver of the van, 25-year-old Adan Torres Garcia, dragged the boy and his bicycle for an unknown distance, according to reports.

Garcia then stopped, got out of the van and removed the bicycle before driving away from the scene, Moloney said. The boy's mother and several witnesses rushed to the boy's aid, placing towels over the wound and compressing them to stop the blood flow.

Several people who witnessed the accident also reportedly recognized the driver from around the neighborhood. They provided a tag number and description of the vehicle to 911 dispatchers, and police pulled over Garcia a short time later.

Garcia was charged with several felony offenses, including hit and run. Police believe he was driving drunk.

Moloney said the fact that Garcia allegedly struck the child and then tried to flee made his offense all the more appalling.

"It is always traumatic when a child gets run over. This definitely adds to it," Moloney said.

Gwinnett Daily Post