Most people, if they see an injured child, bloodied and lying in the street, will stop and render aid. But that was not the case in East St. Louis, Missouri, for 11-year-old Maurice Richards, who was struck by a hit-and-run driver. Richards was crossing the street on a rainy night this week when the driver struck him and fled the scene. Witnesses stated that several drivers passed by the body of the dying boy and did not try to even see what was going on or call 911. One car almost rolled over the boy as he lay in the street but was stopped by pedestrians trying to render aid.
The drivers’ callousness has caused outrage and led to self-examination by many in the community over the accident. Richards was a block away from his home when he was struck by a vehicle. He was transported to Cardinal Glennon Hospital in St. Louis, where he died an hour later from his injuries.
Maurice was a student at Gordon Bush Elementary School and had four sisters and a brother and was well loved. Family members and witnesses have stated they do not know how long his body was in the street but that his clothing was drenched from rain. There is no description of the car or driver that struck Maurice and the community is being asked to help in the investigation.
“The citizens need to come together and try to get who did this and get justice for that young man… Just for the fact that they’re seeing someone lying in the street and didn’t render aid … they need to be held accountable. We as citizens of East St. Louis need to start taking a more serious role in things that go on,” said Detective Jason Hicks.
Anyone with information about the accident should call East St. Louis Police at 618-482-6600.
