Driver didn't stop after hitting 3-year-old Dallas boy

DALLAS - Dallas police are searching for the hit-and-run driver who put a 3-year-old boy in the hospital.

The incident happened about 7:30 p.m. outside an apartment complex in the 8500 block of Park Lane on Monday.

Neighbors said the boy, Tha Peng Lian, ran out into the street to greet a family member and was hit by a black SUV. The driver didn’t stop to help.

Lian, now at Children's Hospital in Dallas, has a shattered hip, liver and bladder damage but is expected to survive.

"It was a bit overwhelming for all of us to see him like that,” said witness Melissa Ortiz. "Just to take off after that. I understand if it was an accident but at least get out and help and assist."

The boy’s 7-year-old sister told police the vehicle was a black SUV with no luggage rack and that she has seen the SUV in the complex before.

Police said the SUV was driven by a man with curly brown hair and a female passenger.

Dallas police spent much of the day Tuesday patrolling the apartment complex, apparently looking for the driver.

Most believe the driver lives in the largely Burmese refugee community.        

“When he was driving off he mentioned, said something in the Chen language, which is what the Burmese people speak,” said witness Melissa Ortiz. “I mean, that's all this community is. Nothing but people from that country, so I absolutely believe it's somebody who lives here."