4-year-old boy injured in North Philly hit-and-run; driver cooperating with police

Officials say a hit-and-run driver struck and injured a 4-year-old boy on a North Philadelphia street, dragging the child about 20 feet before fleeing the scene.

It happened around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday on the 2600 block of North 16th Street.

Authorities say the boy nicknamed 'Mu' was bouncing a ball on the sidewalk when it rolled into the street. He chased after it and was struck by the right front side of the car.

"I remember telling him alright go ahead step back and then he lost control of the ball and everything happened really fast," his mother, Quaeerah Stowe-Smith, said.

Police say the driver stopped at the scene, but drove off after the boy's mother pulled him from underneath the car.

"I tried to grab him, she hit him. I just ran. Told her to back up--grabbed my child got in my cousin's car and we took him to the emergency room," Quaeerah said.

The driver, a 37-year-old woman who has not yet been identified, has made contact with police and is cooperating with their investigation. No charges have been filed.

The victim, who suffered third degree burns from being dragged by the car, is currently receiving treatment at St. Christopher's Hospital.

"He keeps saying, 'Mom I wanna go home. I wanna see my brother.' He wants to go to the park that's where he came from. He wants his ball," Quaeerah said.

No word yet when 'Mu' will go home.