Grief counselors were at Davis Elementary School in Tampa today after an 11-year-old boy was struck and killed by a car early Saturday morning.
Alexander Torres died after being hit by a vehicle on the Hillsborough River bridge. He was transported to St. Joseph's Hospital, where he later died.
On Monday the school brought grief counselors to help the students deal with the loss of their classmate, who they say was funny, polite and thoughtful. Alex liked to ride his bike, play kickball - he was loved.
Alexander was killed in a hit-and-run crash early Saturday, about nine miles from school.He had gotten in trouble at school, and police say his mother reprimanded him over the phone. As a result, he was scared to go home.
Alexander Torres with members of his family. (Torres family)
His family notified the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office just after 5 p.m. when he still had not returned home. Alexander was last seen riding his bicycle from the school after class was dismissed on Friday.
Deputies searched unsuccessfully for Alexander using K-9 units and a reverse 911 call.
Alexander was found shortly after 2:30 a.m. on Saturday, about nine miles from the school. Investigators say he was walking - not on the sidewalk - when he was hit. His bicycle was parked nearby, and his backpack was found in a watchtower by the bridge where he was hit.
Authorities say a late-model Nissan Altima may have hit the boy and then left the scene. Detectives are looking for an early to mid-2000s Altima, possibly metallic or gunmetal in color. Anyone with information is asked to call Tampa police or Crime Stoppers at 800-873-8477.