Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009

Boy, 15, found dead in south Modesto alley

A 15-year-old boy was found dead in a south Modesto alley early Sunday morning. Detectives believe he was hit by a car.

The Marysville boy was visiting family that night when his body was found near Frazier Street and Imperial Avenue about 12:30 a.m. Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department detectives have not ruled out homicide.

"We just don't have facts to show whether it was accidentally or on purpose," Detective Darwin Hatfield said.

By Monday, a memorial to the teen had appeared in the alley.

The boy, who was not identified, died from blunt force trauma to the upper body, Hatfield said. The teen was declared dead at the scene. Hatfield said the boy most likely was hit within an hour of the 911 call made when his body was discovered.

Anyone with information about the teen's death is asked to call Detective Frank Soria at 525-7080.