Authorities are trying to locate the relatives of the victims of a hit-and-run incident early yesterday morning that claimed the life of a three-year-old toddler while his mother remains in critical condition.

The incident happened around 6:00 a.m. Wednesday along St. Vincent Road.

The woman, who was pushing the child in a stroller, was walking in an easterly direction when they were struck by a vehicle; the driver of that vehicle never stopped.

The child’s body was dragged several feet from where they were struck.

Superintendent Stephen Dean said it is believed the vehicle was a dark-coloured Ford Explorer.

He also noted that police have launched an island-wide search for that vehicle and its driver.

“We have gotten some debris from the vehicle as a result of the impact and our forensic scientists now are putting the pieces together so they could give us a fair idea of what type of vehicle possibly this might be,” Superintendent Dean said.

“We are appealing to the driver whether they be male or female to come forward and turn yourself in immediately. What has happened here is tragic. We have young child maybe between three to five-years-old who has been killed at no fault of his. We ask you to come forward so that we can have closure to this matter and we can bring this matter to justice.”

Superintendent Dean said it seems unconscionable that a person could strike two people, leave them for dead and drive off.

In the street where the child’s dead body once lay is now sand. Blood spatter could also be seen at the scene hours after the incident happened.

While police are eager to track down the driver of the vehicle involved in this incident, authorities are also aggressively trying to locate the relatives of these victims in order to learn their identification.

“We don’t understand why once a driver has struck a child or anyone would just leave a scene,” Superintendent Dean said. “You cannot be resting comfortably in your home or wherever it is that you might be, knowing that something tragic – knowing that a child has lost his life. We want you to turn yourself in to police.”

Police are appealing to anyone with any information that can assist with their investigation to contact them at 911, 919 or Crimestoppers at 328-TIPS.