GOODYEAR, AZ — Goodyear police are searching for a driver involved in a deadly hit-and-run crash Tuesday afternoon.
A spokesperson for Liberty Elementary School District says an eighth-grade student was hit near Estrella Parkway and Elliot Road while coming home from school.
Police said Tuesday evening that the 13-year-old Dylan Buensuceso did not survive the crash.
On San Gabriel Drive, several families have dropped off flowers and lit candles for 13-year-old Dylan Buensuceso, the Estrella Mountain Elem. 8th grader who died from injuries sustained after a hit-and-run earlier today.
— Jordan Bontke (@JBontkeABC15) April 27, 2022
He was heading home from school. @abc15 pic.twitter.com/25zHcHDgAP
Police say they are searching for a full-size white Ford truck with possible front-end damage believed to be involved. The driver is believed to be a Hispanic male wearing a long-sleeved orange shirt at the time of the crash.
“Our message to the driver is please turn yourself in, this is a family that is impacted, think about it if this was your child,” said Lisa Berry of Goodyear Police.
”I was nervous to ride in the bike lane,” said Angel Ruiz, a freshman in high school who lives near where the crash happened.
Her father Dennis says it may not be top of mind for his neighbors but speeding on the 30 mph street of San Gabriel has become an issue.
”I think it’s unfortunate it has to a point like this for some people to realize it’s going,” said Dennis Ruiz.
Luke Garrison with the Liberty Elementary School District said “It hurts,” when reacting to the news of a student walking home getting hit by a driver who then took off.
The Liberty Elementary School District sent a letter to Estrella Elementary families that additional counselors will be at school this week for the community now grieving the loss of one of their own.
“I see the signs myself, school zone 15 miles per hour. You would be shocked to see how many people don't pay attention to that. It really does make a difference,” said Garrison.
Anyone with any information on this crash, or possible surveillance video from the area, is urged to call police.
