Man In Custody In Hit-And-Run Crash Knew Boy's Family

FLORENCE (CBSLA.com) — A man in custody Wednesday in connection with a hit-and-run that killed a 5-year-old boy in Florence apparently was a friend of the boy's family, authorities said.

Homer Watford, 19, was accompanied by his own family about 2 p.m. when he went to the Los Angeles Police Department's 77th Street Station and advised a desk officer that he was driver of the suspect SUV, officials said.

Nearly 24 hours after the boy's death, the boy's mother says Watford came to her to apologize before turning himself in.

No charges had been announced Wednesday evening.

The accident was reported just after 5 p.m. Tuesday at the intersection of 82nd Street and Towne Avenue.

Paramedics took  the boy to a hospital, where he later died. A family member identified him as Ron Neal, however, the coroner's office has not confirmed his identity.

A preliminary investigation revealed the victim ran into the street in front of his home just before he was struck by the vehicle.

The hit-and-run driver struck the boy twice before fleeing from the scene.

Police say the driver was likely going 40 mph in a neighborhood with a speed limit of 25.

The hit-and-run vehicle was captured on surveillance video and appeared to be an older model green Chevrolet Tahoe or Suburban that has tinted windows with front-end damage.