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Grandfather Speaks About Child Killed Outside Tops

By Laura Gray
September 2, 2010 Updated Sep 2, 2010 at 5:30 PM EST

Buffalo, NY (WKBW) -- Shoppers and employees light candles at the Tops store where 8 year old Richard Colon was hit by a car on Wednesday. Amanda Reyes tells us, "I was saying a prayer for the family." Hazel Watson, tells us there are no words to express the sadness she feels. "This is my second visit here. This is sad." Kathleen Torres tells us she was a teacher's aide at Frank Sedita Academy where Richard Colon would have been entering the third grade. "It hurts cause I'm a mom, too. He was a very cute boy."
Richard Colon was leaving the store with his grandfather, Tony Colon, yesterday when a driver pinned the boy against a wall. His uncle, Pedro Colon, tells us. "When he looked, the car was coming too fast. And (Tony) tried to grab the kid, but it was too late." He tells us Richard was pinned to the wall, but the driver went forward before putting the car in reverse again.
Eyewitnesses say the driver tried to take off, but customers restrained him until police arrived. Tony has been haunted by the scene. "He couldn't sleep because every time he close his eyes he just see Richie in the car against the wall."
Extended family like Pedro Colon have come from all over to support Richie's parents and remember the boy, who is described as a happy child who always took care of his 12 year old brother. "Always making jokes try to be funny make others laugh." His parents were too distraught to talk this afternoon. Pedro tells us services for Richard Colon will be held at Lombardo Funeral Home on Niagara Street Friday from 2-8pm. The funeral is scheduled for Saturday, but no details have been provided.
The driver, described by police as a man in his late 50s, is not charged with a crime today. Police say the death is under investigation. They are awaiting toxicology results on the driver.

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