Police believe an 88-year-old Parma man was the driver of the car that struck two people outside of Marc’s on Ridgewood Drive, then fled the scene.
In Parma, Ohio, the Police Department stated that they suspect an 88-year-old individual was driving the car that hit a mother and her 2-year-old child in what seems to be a hit-and-run accident near Marc’s on Ridgewood Drive over the previous weekend.
Although the Parma man is not under arrest as the investigation is ongoing, the authorities have handed over the case to the Parma Heights Police Department to prevent any potential conflict of interest since he has family ties to a civilian who works for the Parma Police Department.
Meanwhile, the car involved has been identified as a dark blue 2022 Toyota Corolla and has been “secured for processing and evidence collection.”
The Parma Police Department expressed gratitude to the community for their swift response in assisting Shalonte and her son Genesis, who have both been discharged from the hospital. They also appreciated the information and tips provided by the public and asked for patience as the officers and detectives tirelessly worked to resolve the case.
CASE DETAILS
Police say 32-year-old Shalonte Maddox and her son Genesis were struck while stepping off a sidewalk onto the parking lot of a Marc’s grocery store located at 7511 West Ridgewood Drive just after 7 p.m. on Friday. Maddox was pushing her son in a shopping cart with him seated in the front when the car struck the pair and made no attempt to stop before continuing east toward Ridge Road, according to police. Police believe he later turned south on Ridge Road.
The victims were taken to MetroHealth Medical Center for treatment. Maddox told 3News’ Sia Nyokor that both she and Genesis are now home.
MOTHER REACTS
Shalonte Maddox spoke with 3News’ Bryant McCray on Tuesday, recalling both the terrifying moment when she and Genesis were hit as well as the panic of searching for her son in the aftermath.
“I just remember (myself), like, tossing up in the air and coming down, and all I could think is, like, ‘Where is my baby?'” she remembered. “‘Where did the baby go? Where did the baby go?'”
As Maddox describes, the driver “didn’t speed out” of the parking lot, but rather “went out like nothing happened.” She’s now left with unanswered questions.
“I have a heart, so I just want to know … What was wrong?” she said of the suspect. “Did something happen to you while you were driving? Like, I’m concerned about you too. Like, are you OK, because who would do that, like keep going like that?”
Despite the shock and grief, she is grateful Genesis survived the ordeal.
“He’s supposed to be here,” she said. “It’s not always as bad as you think it could be, because I thought it was over. I thought I lost my son. I did.”
In the meantime, loved ones are collecting stuffed animals, cars, balls, Squishmallows and anything else to make Genesis smile. There is also a GoFundMe if you’d like to contribute.
3News’ Sia Nyokor and Justin McMullen contributed to this report
