SURPRISE, AZ — Surprise police are searching for a hit-and-run driver who hit a 12-year-old boy who was riding his bike last week.
Police say the boy was riding his bike near 175th Avenue and Paradise Lane on August 22 around 6 p.m. when he was hit by what is described as a 2018-2024 dark gray Toyota Camry. The vehicle lost its front right passenger mirror during the crash and had front-end damage including damage to the grill.
The photo below is an example of what the suspect was believed to be driving at the time:
The crash left the boy with significant injuries.
The 12-year-old boy and his family spoke to ABC15 on Monday.
"Why would you leave me on the ground?" asked 12-year-old Bridger Benner.
That question still runs through Bridger and his family's minds days after the hit-and-run crash.
"Just from having this strong capable boy to having this son that needs help for anything has been so hard," said Bridger's mom Lisa Benner.
The hit-and-run crash happened about a block from the Benner's Surprise family home.
"I assumed the car would start slowing down, but it didn’t," said Bridger. "It just kept the same pace it was and hit me."
The Canyon Ridge School student told ABC15 he was in a crosswalk and had just seen the car previously at a stop sign.
"By the time I just got hit I just remember hearing the bike break and then that’s just when I blacked out," said Bridger.
Good Samaritans stopped to help and called Bridger's parents who rushed to the scene. Bridger's parents say they are confident their son's helmet saved his life, but the 12-year-old had extensive injuries. Originally he was taken to Phoenix Children's Hospital, but is now home dealing with fractures all over his body along with emotional trauma.
"I don’t think it really registered until he was being taken care of by the paramedics that wait the guy just left him here he just took off and he left," said Lisa.
"There was the impact zone and from that point, Bridger flew about 25 to 30 feet over into this median," said Bridger's dad Mason Benner.
Hours after Suprise Police posted on social media about the crash, Mason walked ABC15 through the scene. Family and police are urging anyone with information to come forward.
"That and anybody in this area that might have security cameras," said Mason.
With a long journey ahead the family is getting comfort from their community. Cards, gifts, and balloons are scattered throughout the Benner's home. People have even told the family they have spent hours searching for the Camry.
No suspect description has been released.
Anyone with any additional information about this crash or the vehicle involved is asked to contact the Surprise Police Department at 623-222-4000 or 623-222-TIPS (8477) or email crimetips@surpriseaz.gov and reference incident #240804762.
