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Search On For Driver In Deadly Hit & Run In Colorado Springs

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4) - Police in Colorado Springs are searching for a man who hit and killed a 14-year-old boy and then drove away.

The incident happened Friday night at Circle Drive and Airport Road. Witness Armando Nayares tried to chase down the driver. He says he was working at a nearby tire and muffler shop and saw the truck barreling down the street and then heard a loud noise. As most of the witnesses rushed to the young boy's side, Nayares took off after the truck.

Ricardo Figueroa dashed across the busy intersection Thursday night. He tripped and fell but picked himself up as he was hit by the truck.

Witnesses say the truck stopped for a moment and then took off.

"Turned inside the houses and then he was going fast and we just lost him," Nayares said.

Ricardo Figueroa
Ricardo Figueroa (credit: CBS)

Ricky, as family and friends called him, was in the eighth grade at Galileo Middle School and anxious about joining his older sister in high school next year. His principal described hearing about the accident.

"It was devastating. We were very shocked, numbing, were saddened. There was only 15 days left of school," Principal Robyn Colbert said.

The 14-year-old sustained severe head injuries in the accident. He was taken to a local hospital where he died.

"He was like a brother. He always helped me when I was sad and I was down. He's always been there and he's just a great person," friend Laesha Miller said.

SPRINGS HIT & RUN Map
(credit: CBS)

Figueroa was a young boy with big dreams. As a final tribute his family wants to share a part of him with someone else. They will donate his corneas -- the only intact parts of his body after the accident.

Police are looking either a 1985 to 1987 Chevrolet pickup truck or a 1987 to 1991 GMC pickup. The truck has a raised suspension and damage to the left front side near the headlight. It is possibly primer grey or light in color. The driver is described as a white man.

Colorado Springs police say the case is a top priority.

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