Henry Waye, 14, of Bristol, has died after being struck in a hit-and-run Thursday night on George Street.
Waye and a 14-year-old friend were walking their bicycles up the hill near a curb around 6:30 p.m. when he was hit from behind, police said.
Waye was taken to Connecticut Children's Medical Center in Hartford. A spokesman said he died just before 11 p.m. Thursday.
The driver of the truck fled, but the boy who was uninjured was able to give a detailed description of the truck, police said.
Police have seized the truck but are awaiting forensic tests to make a positive match. They found the truck in the driveway of a home just up the street from where the accident happened.
Police said the driver of the truck was taken to Bristol Hospital for an "unrelated" medical condition. He has not been charged but investigators said an arrest is imminent. They also said alcohol might have been a factor.
Meanwhile, neighbors said they recognize the truck involved as one they regularly see speeding through side streets, showing no regard for the many children at play.
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Waye, a freshman at Bristol Central High School, was known as J.R., according to the obituary from his family. He was an avid bowler and bowled with the Laurel Lanes Bowling League in Plainville for many years.
"Nobody else witnessed it. We’ve questioned neighbors. A bunch of people heard it and came out later, but nobody actually saw it other than the kid he was with," said Lt. Morrell.
Neighbors said they’ve frequently seen cars speeding up the hill, a street where kids are usually walking. But nothing could have prepared them for what happened.
"You hear it and it feels like you got punched in the stomach, you don’t know what you think, it just stops you dead in your tracks right there," said Chris Beers.
"It was really sad to see the bicycle in pieces out there, very, very, very sad," said Nicole Oelfke.
