Hit-and-run driver in Balch Springs sends 15-year-old to hospital

Balch Springs police are looking for a hit-and-run driver who put a 15-year-old boy in the hospital with serious injuries.

Rodney Yarbrough says his son, Darius Yarbrough, was walking with his four younger cousins back to an uncle's house after playing basketball around 9 p.m. Saturday night. They were walking along a grassy path on Elam Road when an SUV popped the curb and hit Darius.

“The only thing he remembers is he heard the sound, he was hit and he blacked out,” his father said.

Police said a witness saw a headlight on the SUV go out and then there were sparks as the driver took off. One important clue was left behind after the impact -- a side mirror that belongs to a Ford Expedition from the 2003 to 2006 model years.

Police don't know the color of the SUV they're looking for, but said it would likely have damage to the front passenger side and a flat tire.

“If anyone saw anything or knows of a vehicle that has this type of damage, possibly tire, front end or passenger side and it's an SUV or anything, give us a call. Let us go out and check it out,” said Lt. Mark Maret with the Balch Springs Police Department. “Just come forward and give us some type of closure. That's all we ask for.”

As for Darius, his father said he was well enough to leave the ICU on Tuesday. But he still has a long way to go before he's back to his old self.

“I'm sad because it happened to him like that. And it could have been any other child,” Rodney Yarbrough said. “For someone just to do that, I don't have anger in anyone's heart. I just wish whoever did it just please come forward.”

Balch Springs police said there may be a reward for information that leads to an arrest.