INDIANAPOLIS, IN — INDIANAPOLIS — Family members of an 11-year-old boy who was hit and killed over the weekend are pleading for the driver who struck him to come forward.
Kyson Beatty's family says his death has left a hole in their heart.
Carl Beatty said his son was staying at his mother's house when he went to see a friend across the street near the intersection of Wicker Rd. and Tibbs Ave. on his dirt bike. Police say an unidentified driver struck Kyson near that intersection but did not stop to offer him any assistance.
READ | 11-year-old killed by hit-and-run driver in Indy
Kyson's father and grandfather, Mark Tarter, met with WRTV at the intersection where a small memorial now marks the spot where the young boy lost his life.
Carl said the call was the last thing he expected to hear,
“( I felt) shock. I screamed on the phone,” Carl said. He said, “(He was) Eleven, and I have to see an 11-year-old in a casket, that’s probably the craziest thing."
Kyson was a sixth-grader at Perry Middle School and loved to play sports.
The grieving father describes his son as funny, caring, and competitive.
“Mama’s boy, and he loved his sisters a lot. He loved his friends," Carl said.
Tarter said his grandson always called him 'Pah-Paw' and the tragedy is something he won't be able to get over.
“To lose somebody so full of life and such a good kid, at 11 years old, it’s such a tragedy," Tarter said. “Last week he was talking to me about 'Pah-Paw, you know I make it to the NBA you going to come watch me play?' And I told him you bet I will. I’ll be there."
Kyson was on his school's football and basketball teams, but now he won’t see those dreams come true.
“My belief is if this person that struck him, he could’ve called 9-1-1 or called somebody that could help, my grandson might still be alive today," Tarter said.
The family is begging the driver responsible, to come forward.
“I know that you made a horrible mistake by not stopping, but you know if you come forward, it could be closure for that person as well as all of us,” Tarter said.
“Just know karma will come one way or another," Carl said.
Police have not released a description of the person believed to be driving when Kyson was struck or the vehicle involved, but they did release images Sunday evening of a vehicle that may have been in the area at the time of the incident.
IMPD officers are calling this vehicle a "vehicle of interest" in the investigation. Police say the driver traveled west on Wicker Rd. from S.R. 37 prior to the crash with tires loaded on the back and then traveled east sometime after the crash with a load of tires and a Bobcat.
In a statement early Monday morning, IMPD Lt. Shane Foley said detectives located the vehicle. He said detectives are thanking the community for sharing the information, which helped them get information so quickly in the case.
"We recognize the public’s interest in this case," Foley said. "While we are sharing as much information as possible, this is an open criminal investigation. As such, detectives have to hold back some information they know to maintain the integrity of the investigation. There is no additional information available for release."
Perry Township Schools released the following statement:
Perry Township Schools staff is heartbroken after learning of the tragic death of 6th grader Kyson Beatty. Kyson was a well-known, involved student. A void is felt throughout the district and in particular, Perry Meridian 6th Grade Academy, where he was a student. To support our students and staff during this difficult time, extra counselors will be available as well as additional grief resources. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Beatty family, friends and loved ones.
Anyone with information about the incident should call the IMPD Hit and Run officer at 317-327-6549 or Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477.
A GoFundMe has been created to help the family.
