A driver suspected of hitting a family of three while they were crossing a street on Staten Island Friday night, killing a young child, was arrested after turning himself in on Saturday, police said.
Kyrillos Gendy, 4, died after he was hit by a black Mercedes sedan with tinted windows. The driver was leaving a deli parking lot at 1334 Richmond Road when he hit the boy and two other victims before fleeing, according to police.
John Sanjurjo, 33, of Staten Island, was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of the accident. He pleaded not guilty Sunday and was released on $50,000 bail after a judge denied a motion to have the case dismissed.
The other victims, Kyrillos' sister and mother, were taken to Staten Island University Hospital, where they were treated for minor injuries.
Family members said the three were visiting from South Amboy, N.J., and had just completed a prayer service at a relative's home. They were hit as they tried to cross the street to get to their car.
"He had his whole life in front of us," said Adam Gendy, a cousin. "I feel he was stolen from us."
He said Kyrillos' parents were in a state of shock about the loss of their child.
