A man was arrested for a hit-and-run crash that left a young boy hospitalized in Riverside County.
The suspect was identified as Mlouie Qutami, 29, from Menifee, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.
On Feb. 14, deputies responded to a crash near the intersection of West 3rd Street and South C Street in Perris at around 6:36 p.m.
Investigators discovered Qutami’s Ram 1500 pickup truck had initially crashed into a parked vehicle. As he began driving away, that’s when he struck the boy as he was crossing the street with his family, authorities said.
Instead of stopping, Qutami sped away from the scene, leaving the injured boy lying on the road. Witnesses spotted the crash and contacted the sheriff’s station for help.
Arriving deputies found the boy, whose age was not released, suffering from major injuries. He was transported to the hospital in critical condition.
On March 1, investigators located Qutami on the 24000 block of Hospitality Place in Murrieta.
He was arrested on multiple charges including hit-and-run resulting in injury, driving on a suspended license causing great bodily injury, and three outstanding felony warrants.
The crash remains under investigation.
Anyone with information on the case can call Deputy Roberto Torres or Deputy Victor Guzman at the Perris Sheriff’s Station at 951-210-1000.
Anonymous tips can be provided to We-Tip at 1-800-782-7463 or online at wetip.com.
