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Mother seeks answers after fatal hit-and-run, suspected driver comes forward

Authorities asked the public Monday for help in identifying a motorist involved in a hit-and-run accident that killed a teenage skateboarder on an El Cerrito-area street last week.

SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) - Charges are pending against a driver allegedly involved in a deadly hit-and-run crash that killed a 15-year-old.

According to police, on Monday night, the driver involved in a hit-and-run that killed a teenage skateboarder on an El Cerrito-area street last week, came forward. 

No arrests were made though, according to police. 

The victim was identified as 15-year-old Jonathan Cortez. 

Jonathan Cortez died just two days shy of his 16th birthday. 

On Monday night, a vigil was held at the scene of Friday night's crash. 

"It has been very, very hard. It's been an emotional roller coaster," said Veronica Cortez, Jonathan's mother. 

The mother of 15-year-old Jonathan Cortez is desperate for answers. 

"I need closure. We need closure as a family. We can't go on living without knowing," she said. 

Jonathan's parents said he was always a source of joy and happiness for everyone else. 

"Even though I don't understand it, I haven't been able to grasp it. I don't want to blame God because that is not the right thing to do, but I still question it. I still question why He took him from me so early," said Jonathan's mother. 

The 15-year-old boy was lying on the roadway in the 3600 block of 54th Street for unknown reasons when a northbound van struck him shortly before 8:30 p.m. Friday, according to San Diego police. The driver did not stop.

Witnesses had seen the victim, Cortez, skateboarding in the area prior to the accident. It was unclear if more than one vehicle hit him, though at least one driver was able to swerve and avoid him just before the van hit him, police said.

According to police, when a driver swerved to avoid hitting the teen, the driver of a Dodge Caravan, directly behind the first car, struck and killed Jonathan, then immediately drove away.

"It hurts me to know that some coward out there just let him lay there," said Jonathan's mother.

Cortez was only a couple of minutes away from his father's home, where he was heading. 

The vehicle that struck the teen was described as a green Dodge Caravan, California license No. 4DQJ456. The van was located Monday night by authorities, just one mile from the scene of the accident.

Anyone with information about the case was asked to call San Diego County Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477. Tipsters may remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

A Go Fund Me page has been set up for Jonathan's family. 

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