DEKALB COUNTY, GA—The victim in Wednesday’s fatal hit-and-run has been identified as 15-year-old Quartez Mender. The person responsible has yet to be identified, the DeKalb Police Department said in a statement today(Sept. 2)
Mender was killed on Sept. 1 around 2 a.m. on Flat Shoals Parkway near Wellington Court. His family members said he snuck out of the house. Investigators say they believe he was struck while walking near the entrance of Orchard Walk Apartments. The driver of the vehicle did not remain on the scene, police said.
Family and friends held a candlelight vigil and balloon release on Flat Shoals Parkway for the teen, whom they said wanted to become a lawyer some day. He would have turned 16 this month, his family said. The family is pleading for the person who hit the child to come forward.
The vehicle involved should have damage to the front passenger side, said Michaela Vincent, DeKalb County Police Public Information Officer.
If anyone has any information, please contact the DeKalb County Traffic Specialist Unit at 770-724-7610 or Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS.gmor