Niece Turns Suspect In After Fatally Striking New Jersey Teen In Hit And Run
PENNSAUKEN, NJ (CBS) – Police say an arrest has been made following a fatal hit and run in Pennsauken, New Jersey.
Authorities say late Monday night, a vehicle collided with a pedestrian at the intersection of Route 130 southbound and 49th Street.
Police say the victim, 16-year-old Quason Turner, died as a result of the crash.
Turner was a student at Pennsauken High School, officials say.
"That was my baby boy," said Turner's mom, LaTisha. She had a feeling something was wrong Monday night. Her 16-year-old son had a few days off from school for Easter.
He was out visiting friends on Monday night and her fear, became a reality. "I got a phone call and then I got a knock on the door. The cops came and told me that my son was no longer here," she described. "That's one of the worst things that you can say to a parent."
Police say they had little to go on until an unexpected call. A 19-year-old woman from Central Pennsylvania said her aunt was the hit and run suspect and that she was a passenger in the car.
"I guess she felt guilty," said Pennsauken Police Sgt. Christopher Salzbach. "The niece said she was in shock. They were coming from Beverly going to Camden for whatever reason. A pedestrian jumped the banner and they stuck the pedestrian and just didn't stop."
The young woman led police to their location in Camden. They arrested 40-year-old Susan Hyland of Beverly as she tried to sneak out the back door. Family says the arrest gives them some comfort.
"God already answered our prayer," said Brett Waters, Quason's grandfather. "Even though the person that was driving didn't have the heart to come forward, somebody did."
On Tuesday afternoon, Quason's brother, cousins and Pennsauken High School classmates gathered to pray at the spot he passed away. Family says they forgive Hyland and will also pray for her.
"I really love my brother and rest in peace Qua," his brother said.
Hyland is charged with leaving the scene of a fatal accident and doing so on a suspended license. There is no word if drugs or alcohol were related. She's in jail on $200,000 bail.
