Mother sees son's fight after hit-run

As a 6-year-old Kensington boy remained in a coma yesterday and his 14-year-old cousin underwent surgery, police continued their search for the hit-and-run driver who stopped and looked at the boys before fleeing.

Tychi Spain and his older cousin, Reginald "Reese" Brown, remained at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, where they were taken Sunday - the younger boy in a medically induced coma to ease pressure on his brain, and the older boy to receive surgery for numerous fractures.

"I see a fight in him. My son is strong," Aisha Spain said yesterday at the hospital, where she and other family members have been keeping a vigil for both boys.

"The Lord knows best. He's watching over my son," Spain said, gesturing toward the hospital. "I do believe, one day he's going to walk out that door with me. It may take a while, but I believe in my son."

On Sunday afternoon, the boys went to the playground in the 4900 block of Torresdale Avenue, across from Harding Middle School, to watch skateboarders.

About 4 p.m., they were returning home when they were struck by a Honda Civic heading north on Torresdale, police said.

Anthony Spain, an uncle, said the boys had a dog with them and Tychi had asked Reginald to hold the leash. Reginald told him no, but Tychi darted into the street and Reginald ran after him to catch him, Spain said.

"He just kept saying, 'I tried to save him. I tried to save him,' " Anthony Spain said. "We keep telling him that it wasn't his fault."

Reginald Brown lives near the accident scene.

Witnesses told family members that one car stopped when the boys stepped into the bicycle lane, but the Honda driver sped around the stopped vehicle, striking the boys. Spain said the witnesses said the Honda stopped and the driver looked back, then fled.

A passer-by gave first aid to the boys until medics arrived, which Spain said likely saved Tychi's life.

Both boys, who were supposed to start school yesterday, are described as being full of life and enjoying a laugh. The younger one looked up to his cousin, and the two often spent time together.

"He loved Reese," Aisha Spain said of her son.

Relatives said they would like to see the driver apprehended. For their part, police said they know the car they are looking for.

Officer Gary Harrison of the Accident Investigation District said he could not comment regarding the driver.

Authorities said they are looking for a 1991 four-door Honda Civic DX with a square trunk. The vehicle is registered in Pennsylvania with tag number GLV-5477 and the vehicle identification number is 1HGED3541ML038446. The vehicle is either a light blue or bluish-green, Harrison said.

The vehicle may have front-end damage on the passenger side and was last seen going north on Torresdale from Wakeling Street.

Witnesses described the driver as white or Latino, about 20 years old with chin hair.

Anyone with information is being asked to call 911 or the Accident Investigation District at 215-686-3180.