PHOENIX — Sixteen-year-old Francisco Solis Garcia is in critical condition after pushing a group of kids out of the way of an oncoming vehicle in Phoenix.
Phoenix police say the incident happened near Central Avenue and Roeser Road around 8:20 p.m. Wednesday.
According to police, Francisco and three other juveniles were in a marked crosswalk with the right of way when a Dodge Charger failed to stop when trying to make a left turn.
Francisco saw the oncoming vehicle and pushed the other children out of the way before he was hit.
He was taken to the hospital in critical condition after the crash. Nobody else involved suffered any serious injuries.
“He’s a very sweet boy, he’s my youngest brother,” said Ivan Solis Garcia, Francisco's brother. “He takes his nieces and nephews to the park. He’s a good kid.”
The driver remained on scene and told police that he did not see anyone in the crosswalk when he made the left turn.
Police say impairment does not appear to be a factor. It's unclear if the driver will face charges in the crash.
Family members tell ABC15 Francisco had surgery Thursday morning and is slowly recovering.
“I hope he feels better. I want him to know that we love him,” said Stacey Solis, an 11-year-old who was in the crosswalk at the time.
