Community Mourns Boy, 13, Killed by Hit-Run Driver

April 19, 2012 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

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BENSONHURST — A 13-year-old boy was struck and killed by a driver who fled the scene on 20th Avenue last Saturday afternoon, police said.

At press time, the driver had not been caught by police. Cops are continuing to search for the killer motorist.

The victim, Henry Garcia, was riding his bike on 20th Avenue near 80th Street just before the accident at 2:42 p.m., police said. The youngster may have fallen off the bike before he was hit by an SUV police said.

Henry was struck by a green Ford Explorer whose driver fled the scene, police said.

The horrific incident was captured on video, police said.

The driver probably knew he or she had hit someone, police said. A video taken at the scene shows a green Ford Explorer hit the boy, slow down for a few seconds, and then drive away, police said.

Henry was rushed to a local hospital, where he later died.

Henry was an eighth grader at Seth Low Intermediate School (I.S. 96), according to www.dnainfo.com. He was scheduled to graduate in June and had planned to attend James Madison High School, the website reported.

The victim was the youngest of five children, according to a report on CBS News Radio 88. He dreamed of a career as a professional soccer player, the radio station reported.

A wake for Henry was scheduled to take place on Wednesday, April 18, at the Las Rosas Funeral Home, 7614 Fourth Ave.

The funeral will take place on Thursday, April 19, 10:45 a.m., at Saint Finbar Church, 138 Bay 20th St.

The Rev. Michael Louis Gelfant, the church’s pastor, issued a request for donations to help the Garcia family with the costs of the funeral and the boy’s burial.

Donations can be sent to St. Finbar Church, 138 Bay 20th St., Brooklyn, N.Y., 11214, Attention: Henry S. Garcia Fund.