An 11-year-old Tampa boy who had been reported missing Friday evening was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver overnight, police say.
Alexander Torres was hit by what authorities say may have been a late-model Nissan Altima on Hillsborough Avenue at the Hillsborough River bridge. He was transported to St. Joseph's Hospital, where he later died.
Right: Authorities were still investigating the crash after sunrise Saturday morning. (Sara Belsole, staff)
Torres had last been seen riding his bicycle from Davis Elementary School in Town 'N Country after school was released Friday. Earlier, he was reprimanded by his mother over the phone after getting into some trouble, authorities say.
Torres' family notified the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office just after 5 p.m. when the boy still hadn't returned home. Deputies searched unsuccessfully for Torres with K-9 units and the use of a 911 reverse call.
The crash happened around 2:30 a.m., about nine miles from the school. Investigators say Torres was walking - not on the sidewalk - when he was hit and that his bicycle was parked nearby.
Detectives are looking for an early to mid 2000s Altima, possibly metallic or gunmetal in color. Anyone with information is asked to call Tampa police or Crime Stoppers at 800-873-8477.
Crime Stoppers is offering a $3,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the hit-and-run driver. Anonymous tips can be submitted online to www.crimestopperstb.com.