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EAST SAINT LOUIS, IL (KTVI) – Police in East St. Louis are investigating a hit and run case where an 11-year-old boy was killed.

The incident happened around 6:30 p.m. at 37th and State streets. East St. Louis police said Richards was crossing State Street when he was hit. State is one of the busiest streets in the area.

A family member identified the child as Maurice Richards. He didn’t live far from where he was hit by the car.

According to our partners at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, people drove by the boy after he was hit without stopping to help him.

East St. Louis Police Detective Jason Hicks said a motorist saw other cars drive around Richards on State Street and keep going after the boy had been hit and critically hurt. Hicks said one driver finally did stop to help, blocked off the street, and called 911.

Richards was rushed to the hospital, but died about an hour later.

Maurice Richards’ family mad an emotional plea for the driver to come forward as they try to cope with the tragedy.

“You have to think what was going through his mind, his body there in the street with rain on his chest; a baby,” Sheena Richards, aunt.

Maurice’s family and friends gathered Thursday afternoon near a makeshift memorial at the accident site to pay respects and pray as they pleaded for the for the driver to come forward.

Maurice attended Gordon Bush Elementary School and loved to ride his bike. He had four sisters and a brother. His mother held his shoe close to her heart after learning it was knocked off his foot when he was struck. His family is trying to come grips with what happened.

Authorities still don’t have a description of the car that hit the boy then took off nor do they have any potential suspects.

“To keep going and not stop and did not do anything. You just drove pass him and let him lie he was a dog in the middle of the street,” said Richard’s cousin.

If you have any information on this case, you’re asked to call the East St. Louis Police Department. CrimeStoppers is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to a felony arrest.