Vigil held for toddler killed in West Kensington hit-and-run, reward up to $20,000

WEST KENSINGTON (WPVI) -- A vigil was held in memory of a 2-year-old who died from the injuries he sustained in a hit-and-run crash in West Kensington.

David Alicea, was pronounced dead at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children at 1:30 a.m. Thursday and the City of Philadelphia has upgraded the reward to $20,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those involved.

David and his mother, 19-year-old Josephine Rivera, were struck just before 7:00 p.m. Monday while crossing Mascher Street near their home in West Kensington.

Witnesses say Rivera tried to shield the boy from the oncoming car, which fled the scene after the collision.

Rivera suffered several fractures. She was transported to Temple University Hospital in critical, but stable condition.

She was transported to St. Christopher's hospital to be with her son.

Rivera was released from the hospital late Thursday afternoon.

On Thursday evening, Christopher Gonzalez and his girlfriend Sedevia Perez, were among the people who gathered to build a touching memorial at the accident site.

They were near the scene shortly after the crash and still having a hard time coming to grips with what they saw.

"It's sad, it's hard," said Gonzalez.

The couple were on their way to a night out on the town, when they drove by the scene of the hit-and-run.

Gonzalez says they did not hesitate for a moment.

"I threw everything out the car, in the back of the car. Someone gave the child to my girlfriend and several people helped us put the mother in the car," he said.

Gonzalez and Perez then took the victims to the hospital.

After hearing the news of little David's passing, Gonzalez says is only regret is that he couldn't have done more.

"If you have children of your own, you will definitely understand. If there is anything that I could have done differently, I would have literally pushed the kid out of the way and jumped in front of the car for him," said Gonzalez.

Meantime, the search for the striking vehicle and the driver who fled continues.

Police are looking for a 2006-2008 whit Infiniti "M" seen on surveillance video around the time of the crash.

Investigators recovered a piece of glass from one of the vehicle's headlights, and say the car would have significant front-end damage.

They do not have a description of the driver and have been asking for the public's help locating both the driver and the striking vehicle.

Gonzalez and Perez say their hope now is that the person who did this decides to do the right thing.

"Please just turn yourself in, it's the Right thing to do," said Gonzalez.