Eddie Ortega hits 16 month old boy in driveway then leaves the scene

[Sister Iroz]

Police have apprehended a man suspected of hitting a child with his car in the driveway of a Phoenix home Monday, then leaving the scene.

The boy, 16 months, is in critical condition at a hospital.

Eddie Ortega, 49, was suspected of hitting the boy with his tan Ford Explorer outside the child's home around 1:30 p.m. Monday, a Phoenix police department press release reported.

After finding and interviewing Ortega, detectives concluded that he knew the child had been hurt but had no idea his vehicle had struck the boy, said Officer James Holmes with the Phoenix police department.

Ortega was completely cooperative with police, Holmes said.

At this time, no charges have been filed and Phoenix police are continuing their investigation.

The police gave this account of what happened. The boy's father had listed a vehicle for sale on Craigslist and Ortega, in response to the ad, went to the home to buy the vehicle.

The boy was in the driveway of the home with the men as the transaction was completed, and the father returned inside thinking the boy had followed him.

Shortly after, the father heard screaming coming from the driveway and went out to find Ortega holding the boy, claiming the victim had fallen down.

The driver handed the child to his father and left the home.

The boy was transported to a local hospital by his parents where further investigation revealed the child's injuries to be too extensive for a fall. The injuries were considered to be critical, the press release reported.

Police later found indications that the boy had been struck by the vehicle.

The investigation will continue, Holmes said.

http://www.azcentral.com/community/p...bycar0407.html

Fuck, there better be charges against this man he fucking lied to the father saying his child fell down when he knew damn well what happened. I don't care how cooperative he is being he is a liar. FUCK HIM! I believe he felt he hit something then heard the child cry and got out and tried to comfort him and when the father came out he got scared and handed the child to him and said he fell.

I pray this boy recover bless his heart.

[seductress]

I believe he knew he hit the boy, but it was not done intentionally. It's not like it was a hit and run. They boys father had the man name.

How did the father now know the boy was still outside in the driveway? You open the door and let the child in and then shut the door behind you.

[Silvahalo]

Sounds like this man knew well and clear that he hit the child but was freaked and lied about it on the spot. However, I think the father was negligent to walk away with his son still behind. I it only takes a moment for a little one to get in the way of danger. And this guy probably did not realize the child was still outside, he probably thought the father took the child in with him. I think they both deserve blame here.

If I was the wife and figured what happened, the first thing I'd say is, "why didn't you pick up jr. and bring him in with you?"....really, that seems like common sense. To some it isn't clear how danger lurks at every given moment with a child at that age, (my son is 19 mo.), they are very impulsive and curious....he's not going to follow you in. Nope, at that age all they want to do is be outside as they have discovered how to walk. Walk and explore that's all they want to do. I have to bring my kid in kicking and screaming from outside.

I hope this wee one heals completely.

[Peeperann]

detectives concluded that he knew the child had been hurt but had no idea his vehicle had struck the boy,

And they concluded this how? He knew the boy was hurt, he handed him to his father (who's and idiot by the way, not knowing where his small child was at).

He should have owned up to the accident and probably no charges would have been filed, well, maybe neglect on the father.

[Marv]

That child is only 16mths old, so would only just be getting to grips with walking properly. No way should that father have just assumed that this child had followed him in! He should have picked him up and carried him, or held his hand if he wanted to walk.

And that Ortega had to have known that he hit the child, he should have told the truth immediately, so the parents could know how serious the situation was. It doesnt say how long they waited to take him to hospital, but as they thought he had just fallen, they may have delayed, waiting for him to calm down or whatever. Had they known he had been hit by the car they would probably have called 911. Might not have made a difference, but then again it might.