Toddler killed in hit-and-run crash near Clearwater Village Shopping Center

INDIANAPOLIS — A toddler was killed in a hit-and-run crash in a parking lot near the Clearwater Village Shopping Center on Indianapolis' north side, according to police.

The child was found critically injured when police responded about 7:30 p.m. to the 4600 block of East 82nd Street for a report of a crash with injury, according to a spokesperson for the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.

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His mother, Lakiea Murry said her car overheated. She pulled over in this parking space near the shopping center's entrance, opened all of the car doors and popped the hood.

She says Jyrie got out and was dribbling his basketball. She never imagined someone would hit him and drive off.

"All of a sudden I didn't hear the ball bouncing anymore so I got out of the car," Murry said. "I said Jyrie, Jyrie then by the time I noticed he was lying on the ground. I had looked up and seen a white SUV and drove down to DSW."

The toddler was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after responders arrived.

The boy's father has identified him as Jyrie Mathews, 3.

"He was 3 and he had a whole life to live," Murry said. "Jyrie was going to be a hooper. He loved basketball," said Murry.

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In an emailed update on Thursday, IMPD said detectives have interviewed the driver and weren't going to release additional details at this time.

"No additional information, including the identity of the driver, the type of vehicle involved, or where they were located, are being released at this time," the email read.

The case will be presented to the Marion County Prosecutor's Office for a charging decision, IMPD said.

Police urged anyone with more information — especially those who were in the area and may have witnessed the crash — to call Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477 (TIPS).