Medical issue may be behind boy's death

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Hearts are heavy with sadness and shock in the wake of a little boy's tragic death on Buffalo's west side.

Flowers, candles and stuffed animals mark the solemn memorial for 8-year-old Richard Colon. He was struck and killed by a suspected hit-and-run driver in the Tops parking lot on Niagara Street on Wednesday.

>>>In her reporter's notebook, Lorey visits the growing memorial outside the Tops on Niagara Street

His death really hit hard in this community. When our cameras stopped by, his father was there, heartbroken, yet touched by the outpouring of support. Now, he's anxious for answers to exactly what happened, and a visitor to News 4 did his best to provide them.

Amid the tears, Victor Colon is doing his best to stay strong. He returned to the Buffalo supermarket where candles, flowers, and stuffed animals now stretch across two tables, marking the spot where his son Richie died a day earlier.

"I want to remember him like the photo: the big smirk on his face. I don't want to remember him like yesterday on the ground there," said Victor.

Chaos erupted outside the Tops on Wednesday after a motorist struck and killed the 8-year-old boy as he was walking out of the store. Witnesses saw the driver accelerate twice in reverse, pinning the child against the wall. While some rushed to help him, these people chased down the driver, who looked to be leaving the scene.

Victor said, "I appreciate what they did. If they didn't do what they did, I wouldn't have anyone to blame. I don't want to be blame-ful. I want answers. I want to know what's occurring, know what I mean?"

The driver has not been charged while investigators await toxicology results. Thursday afternoon, his son-in-law stopped by Channel 4 with a folder full of medical records, hoping to end speculation. He feels for Richie's family, claiming his father-in-law is a diabetic with a brain tumor who has a history of blacking out.

"It was a medical. It was nothing deliberate. He didn't mean to do it. He didn't realize what happened. He still don't realize what happened," said the son-in-law.

Richie was only a few days away from starting school, the third grade. Many of his classmates came to the scene to pay their respects.

Megan Conway said, "I'll remember his smile and sweetness. He was so sweet, brightened everyone's day, brightened my day, every day."

"I'm at peace. He's in heaven with God. But not at peace that things aren't getting resolved. He was a great kid," said Victor.

Details are still being worked on, but the family is planning to have a Saturday funeral service. In the meantime, the Niagara Street Tops has started a memorial fund in Richie's name. The driver's son-in-law says the family is crushed, calling this an absolute tragedy. Their dad was treated and released from the hospital Wednesday night, but has since been re-admitted.