Hit-and-Run Driver Kills 6-Year-Old Boy

Grand Prairie police are looking for the driver who hit and killed a 6-year-old boy Thursday night.

Police say John Paul Raidy, a first-grader at Austin Elementary, was crossing the street with his mother and sister at North Carrier Parkway and Holiday Hills Drive at 7:30 p.m. when he was hit by a car.

"This is one of the most horrific scenes I have ever seen, as far the dynamics of the crash and the circumstances surrounding it," said Grand Prairie police Sgt. Eric Hansen.

Police said the driver ran a red light that investigators determined had been red for 14 seconds.

The collision, police said, was so powerful that Raidy landed on the hood of the car and was carried 100 yards before landing on the pavement.

"I pray they grow a conscience and turn themselves in for doing this to a 6-year-old boy," said John's mother, Lauren Raidy.

Investigators said the vehicle that hit him stopped briefly and then drove off southbound on Carrier Parkway.

"We believe that the driver is aware of what occurred and, whether they got scared or what made them leave the scene, we hope they will contact us," said Hansen.

Raidy was taken by ambulance to Arlington Memorial Hospital where he died.

"He's just gone. I'll never be able to hold my son again, I'll never be able to tell him that I love him," said Lauren Raidy.

The vehicle is described as a black or very dark-colored 4-door hatchback.

Police released a traffic camera photo (left) of the small dark hatchback involved in the fatal hit-and-run.

Grand Prairie police said the vehicle will likely have minor damage to the front bumper and hood.

Anyone with information about the vehicle is encouraged to contact the Grand Prairie Police Department's Traffic Division at 972-237-8790.

This is the second traffic fatality in Grand Prairie this year.

Grief counselors spent the day at Austin Elementary to help students and staff.