On February 14, 2026, a 9-year-old boy was struck by a vehicle in West Philadelphia.

The driver did not stop.

Instead, the vehicle fled the scene, leaving the child seriously injured in the street.

Police later described the vehicle as a burgundy-colored 2010–2013 Honda Crosstour with mismatched body panels.

Authorities say they are actively searching for the driver.

Investigators continue asking the public for information that could help identify the vehicle.

The child has been identified as Thomas.

He was rushed to the hospital following the crash.

Doctors determined he had sustained significant injuries.

Among them was a broken femur.

He also suffered facial injuries requiring plastic surgery.

Bruises and abrasions covered parts of his body after he was reportedly dragged along the roadway.

For any family, those words are difficult to absorb.

Broken bones, surgery, and recovery plans are heavy realities for a child barely into elementary school.

Yet Thomas survived the impact.

His mother, Kimyetta Demby, later spoke about his condition.

She described what doctors have told her about the healing process ahead.

She said her son faces a long road to recovery.

Although Thomas has since been released from the hospital, his journey is far from over.

A broken femur alone often requires extensive rehabilitation.

Physical therapy, follow-up appointments, and careful monitoring will shape the coming months.

Facial injuries add another layer of recovery.

Plastic surgery addresses both function and appearance.

Healing can be both physical and emotional.

Despite everything, his family says Thomas is strong.

They believe in his resilience.

They hold tightly to the hope that he will return to his normal life.

Before the crash, Thomas enjoyed playing sports.

Like many 9-year-olds, movement and activity were part of his daily routine.

Now, recovery will temporarily replace the rhythm of games and practice.

Hit-and-run crashes often leave families grappling with two parallel struggles.

One is medical.

The other is justice.

In this case, the driver has not yet been identified.