Jul 20, 2008 9:45 am US/Eastern
Another Young Child Struck By Car In Brooklyn
BROOKLYN (CBS) ―
Two times in one day, a young child was struck by a car that then left the scene in Brooklyn. Early Saturday, an 11-year-old boy was killed in Flatbush. The alleged driver was caught a few hours later. The latest victim: a 9-year-old girl that was struck Saturday night in Brownsville.
The young girl was crossing Rockaway Avenue at Glenmore Avenue when she was struck by a tan Nissan Maxima. The impact was so intense it left her in critical condition, but the driver kept going and later abandoned the car.
"He was like my son," family friend Renee John said of Rondell Grant.
Grant was curious about the cars racing past his grandmother's home, and came outside to take a closer look. Once there, he was struck by a car. The horrific accident was caught on a neighbor's surveillance system.
"When I saw it first thing this morning I cried a bit, got choked up," Neighbor Gregg Hawkins said.
Hawkins described Rondell as caring, athletic and joyful.
Hours after the little boy's death, police arrested 19-year-old Naquan Mandry and charged him with leaving the scene of an accident - resulting in death.
Hawkins said Rondell's family is not the only one suffering.
"He's a little boy and he won't see tomorrow no more," Hawkins said. "Family must prepare for a funeral for him. They shouldn't have to and the other boy is a kid himself. He's only 19. The police say and he's hurting, too."
The 9-year-old girl's mother said doctors feel there is a 50-50 chance her daughter will pull through.
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