Reward Out for Mercedes Driver Who Killed Boy

Silver Mercedes hit a mom and her young son only steps away from their home

By Teresa Masterson and Dan Stamm
|  Tuesday, Sep 28, 2010  |  Updated 12:06 AM EDT
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<a title=Derrek Martinez's family hopes police find the driver who killed the 2-year old in South Philadelphia Saturday night." />

NBCPhiladelphia - Claudia Rivero

Derrek Martinez's family hopes police find the driver who killed the 2-year old in South Philadelphia Saturday night.

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2-Year-Old Killed in Hit-and-Run

A silver Mercedes hit a mother and her little boy as they were crossing the street Saturday night at 6th and Washington. The toddler died. Police are looking for the driver. The car has a chrome rim with low-profile tires and tinted windows.
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On the same day when a $2,500 reward is being offered to track down whoever was behind the wheel of a silver Mercedes when he or she hit and a killed a 2-year-old and injured the boy's mother.

The reward is being offered for information leading to the driver who struck Dionicia Leone, 20, and her son Dereck Martinez just block from their home.

Mother and child were walking across the street at the intersection of 6th Street and Washington Avenue on their way home from the store Saturday night when they were struck by a silver Mercedes, police said.

Dereck was pronounced dead at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia at 9:04 p.m., according to authorities.

The boy's uncle, Adrian Leon, described his nephew as the love of his life.

"My sister told me the only thing she remembers is that the car hit her first," Leon said through a translator. "She passed out for a moment and when she came to she looked for her baby but there was nothing she could do."

Witnesses described the car as a late model four-door silver Mercedes CLS with 19-inch chrome wheels and low profile tires. The car will likely have front-end damage.

Leon hopes the person responsible comes forward so that Dereck's family can finally find closure.

Police are looking for the driver who left the mother and child in the street. The Citizens Crime Commission is offering a $2,500 reward.


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Posted Sep 27, 2010
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