Toddler Killed in Hit-and-Run

New Haven Police are looking for the hit-and-run driver who took the life of 17-month-old Montez Stanley Jr. and asking the public for help.

Montez was killed Saturday around 11 p.m. at the intersection of Division and Mansfield streets.

He was riding in a Ford Escape when the driver of a Mercedes ran a stop sign and hit the SUV, causing the driver of the Ford to lose control and flip onto a parked car, police said.

Montez died after hitting his or her head on the roof of the car. Police say he was not in a car seat.

Three other people were in the vehicle. The toddler's mother, Mauricia Stanley, 17, suffered a major spinal injury and is currently on a respirator in critical but stable condition at Yale-New Haven Hospital, police said. The child's grandmother and an 11-year-old child made it out OK.

Jerry Paige of New Haven lives where the crash happened.  He was first at the scene and tried saving the baby, but it was too late.

"It was a terrible sight.  It was a nightmare.  That's gonna stick with me the rest of my life," said Paige.

Cops were back out at the scene nearly 48 hours after the hit and run.  They spent about an hour taking more measurements and getting a closer look at skid marks.  Meanwhile, a memorial for young Montez grew bigger.  Family, friends and complete strangers brought flowers, stuffed animals and candle to remember him.

"It has tore everyone upside down.  The whole family is upside down right now," said Sonya Jackson, the victim's cousin.

Police are looking for a 1998 to 2003 Caprice Blue Mercedes Benz CLK-320 coupe. Police identified this model after finding a license plate bracket at scene.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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