Boy Injured In SoMa Hit-And-Run Improving But Critical Condition
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) - A 9-year-old boy who was injured during a hit-and-run in San Francisco's South of Market neighborhood Thursday remains in critical condition Saturday, according to a San Francisco General Hospital spokeswoman.
Ryan White's condition is improving. No further details were released Saturday.
Hayward resident Andrew Vargas, 21, was arrested and booked into jail on suspicion of felony hit-and-run and driving under the influence in connection with the incident, police Lt. Troy Dangerfield said.
Ryan, in town with his family from Philadelphia, was walking ahead of a family member while crossing Mission Street around 10:30 p.m. when he was struck by a white pickup truck turning left onto Mission Street.
The truck had been driving north on New Montgomery Street, which is a one-way southbound street, police said.
Vargas allegedly didn't stop after hitting Ryan, and continued west on Mission Street before hitting numerous other cars. He then drove onto a nearby highway, police said.
Vargas was stopped in Hayward around 11:30 p.m. after his pickup was spotted by local police.
Witnesses identified him and his truck as those involved in the hit-and-run, and a preliminary screening indicated his blood alcohol level was above the legal limit, Dangerfield said.
Vargas has been turned over to San Francisco police, and his truck was impounded as evidence.
Hooten, an uncle who lives in Granite Bay north of Sacramento, said the family outing to AT&T Park for the first game of the Giants series against the Phillies was supposed to be the highlight of the trip for White and his 11-year-old brother, both huge fans of their hometown team.
"They were looking forward to it. They had their Phillies hats that they were all the time, and they were talking about the game," he said.
The boys and their parents were at the game with an aunt and a cousin.
A 58-year-old woman from Granite Bay also suffered a foot injury in the crash but the injury is not considered life-threatening, police said.
Witnesses were encouraged to call the Police Department at (415) 553-0123 or the anonymous tip line at (415) 575-4444 or send a tip by text message to TIP411 with "SFPD" in the beginning of the text message.
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