An 11-year-old boy was killed in a hit-and-run while walking to an Upland school Thursday morning in what was described by one witness as "the most horrible scene I've ever seen in my life."
The boy was walking to Cabrillo Elementary School around 8 a.m. when authorities said he was hit by a Jeep Cherokee, possibly a 2008 model, in the area of Arrow Highway and Benson Avenue.
Family members said the boy's name was Isaiah Dobine.
"How can you just leave a defenseless child there and go about your day?" the boy's grandmother, Tamara Strong, told NBC4.
Witness Benny Dorado told NBC4 that he was with Isaiah in the moments following the collision.
"I saw him laying there. It was the most horrible scene I’ve ever seen in my life," Dorado said. "He was a little boy ... I was holding his hand the entire time."
Dorado said Isaiah had a small orange Bible with him.
"I picked it up and I just held it in my hand, and the paramedics did their job and I held (the Bible) in my hand, and I was praying for him," Dorado said.
Upland police said the boy was treated at the scene and then taken to San Antonio Community Hospital where he later died from his injuries.
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Dobine's family said knowing Isaiah had a strong faith is helping them cope with his loss.
"This young man was so in touch with God, you wouldn't believe," stepfather Vincent Vega said.
"Had he seen this on the news, Isaiah would go pray," Strong said. "He would pray that the Lord would bring peace to the family that was going through this. That's the type of boy my grandson was."
Upland police arrested Jason Fehr, 25, shown at right, in connection with the hit-and-run.
"We're fairly confident we have the right guy," Upland Police Lt. Alan Ansara said.
Police were still looking into what caused the crash, including community concerns over a lack of crossing guards near Cabrillo Elementary School.
Family members started a memorial fund for Isaiah and asked anyone who wishes to donate to visit his YouCaring page at www.youcaring.com/shelton.
