Youth football team remembers child hit-and-run victim

ALLENTOWN, Pa. (WPVI) -- While the search continues for the hit-and-run driver who killed 9-year-old Darius Condash, his youth football team played its championship game Sunday in his honor.

The Little Huskies wore red under their game day jerseys and sported Darius' number 34 on their helmets.

"He's here with us right now, I know he is," cousin D'Angelo Martinez said.

Police say a driver came barreling down Schoenersville Road Friday night and struck Darius before fleeing the scene.

It's believed the fourth grader was picking up a piece of candy he dropped moments before the accident.

He died at a nearby hospital.

"Whoever you are, if they don't catch you, I hope you turn yourself in, because you took something really, really big away from family and I don't wish it on anyone because there's a big empty space with us because Darius isn't here anymore," cousin Yacinda Gonzalaez said.

Friends and family describe the straight-A student as enthusiastic with a passion for sports, dreaming of one day playing professionally.

"He played linebacker, he played running back. I wish you could have seen him play the last three weeks. The kid pretty much carried the team on his back," head football coordinator Mike Beck said.

While Darius lead the East Side Youth Football team this far, his family says the star athlete would have wanted his teammates play the biggest game of their season.

"We're playing with a purpose today. Win or lose, we're champions," Beck said.

Police are still looking for the driver believed to have been behind a four door gray or silver Honda, possibly with front end damage and a spoiler fin 1 foot off the trunk.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Colonial Regional police at 610-759-2200.