Toddler dies after hit-and-run collision in Phoenix; suspect in custody

A toddler died after getting hit by a vehicle at a mobile home park in Phoenix on Sunday night, and the suspected driver was arrested after fleeing the scene, authorities said.

Officers responded at about 8:50 p.m. to the park near 31st Avenue and Buckeye Road for a collision involving a young boy, according to the Phoenix Police Department.

The 16-month-old child was found in critical condition and died after being rushed to a hospital.

The driver, who police later identified as 35-year-old Carlos Rojas Mora, stopped after the collision, but he proceeded to run to his mobile home, which neighbored the child’s family’s home. He grabbed keys for a Jeep Grand Cherokee and fled the scene, according to court documents.

Following Mora leaving the scene, Phoenix police received reports from Goodyear police that a friend of Mora’s had contacted them, stating that Mora asked them to take him to Mexico because he was wanted for a hit-and-run. The friend allegedly started to drive Mora before deciding they didn’t want to be involved and dropped him off in the area of 43rd and Missouri avenues.

Officers then learned that Mora was staying at a different friend’s house and proceeded to take him into custody after he exited the residence during a traffic stop around 2:25 a.m.

Once in custody, Mora told investigators that he didn’t know he hit the child until neighbors yelled at him and he exited the car, adding that he fled because he was scared the toddler’s father would hurt him, records said.

He also claimed to be on the way to turn himself in when authorities arrested him.

He was booked into jail on one count of hit-and-run with death, a Class 3 felony.

The Department of Child Safety was notified as part of the investigation after detectives learned the child was left unattended.

“Preliminary information indicates the toddler was not under direct supervision and wandered out into the driveway when he was struck by the vehicle,” Sgt. Lorraine Fernandez said in a media advisory.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Kylie Werner contributed to this report. 

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