It's his final moments caught on surveillance video. We are getting our first look at what lead up to a deadly hit-skip along Union Avenue in Cleveland. As police try to track down the driver behind the wheel, the teen's grieving family is pleading for the public's help.
In surveillance video obtained by News 5, you can see David Bourne Jr. walking on the sidewalk along Union Avenue near East 69th street.
"Even though he was only 15 years old he had a grown spirit," said David's sister Kimberly Bourne.
Cleveland Police believe Bourne came across a dead raccoon on the sidewalk. The video shows him step onto the street as he approached the animal. He was then hit by a car and thrown into the air, landing back on the sidewalk.
Police are searching for the driver of a white older-model sedan. In the video, you can see the person doesn't even slow down.
"He had his mind set to be a football player," said Kimberly Bourne.
David survived the initial impact around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday but died just a few hours later at MetroHealth Medical Center.
Family identifies Cleveland hit skip victim. I just spoke with 15-year old David Bourne Jr.’s uncle. He tells me the teen was walking to his girlfriend’s house when he was hit crossing Union. David’s mom just passed away from cancer last month. @WEWS pic.twitter.com/zuT6U6ehfR
— Mike Brookbank (@brookbanktv) June 14, 2018
David graduated from eighth grade just weeks ago. Kimberly Bourne proudly showed off his diploma.
"It took him three years, he was so excited to go to high school," said Bourne.
Here’s another shot of the car believed to have struck and killed 15-year old David Bourne Jr. on Union Ave in #Cleveland last night. Family plans a vigil Sunday night at spot where he was hit. David would have turned 16 Sunday. @wews pic.twitter.com/wjQNdvLIGi
— Mike Brookbank (@brookbanktv) June 14, 2018
It was less than two months ago that David's mom lost a brief battle with breast cancer.
"I just picture him and my mom just standing there, him wrapped around my mom like 'we're ok' and my mom saying 'what are you doing up here? It's too soon,'" said Bourne.
Cleveland Police on scene describe suspect vehicle as a 2010-2013 Toyota Corolla. David Bourne Jr.’s family is asking anyone with information to call police immediately. @WEWS pic.twitter.com/Snir85TOPZ
— Mike Brookbank (@brookbanktv) June 14, 2018
David would have turned 16-years-old on Sunday.
Instead of having a birthday party for David, his family is planning to host a candlelight vigil at the crash site.
Tragic details about the deadly hit skip on Union Ave. Police on scene tell us 15-year old David Bourne Jr. was trying to avoid a dead raccoon in the sidewalk and walked out into the street when he was hit. @WEWS pic.twitter.com/2AhjYDB8aL
— Mike Brookbank (@brookbanktv) June 14, 2018
Anyone with information on this case is asked to call the Cleveland Police Department at 216-621-1234.
