The world, for Billy Montoya Jr., revolved around Elmo, riding his tricycle and his "Nana."
The 2-year-old, nicknamed "Peanut," was full of energy and played in his front yard every day. In the evenings he'd wait in the yard for his grandmother to come home from work. He was taught to wait in the yard, but on the evening of Oct. 20, 2008, the excitement of seeing his grandmother overwhelmed him. At about 8 p.m., Billy saw his grandmother get dropped off on South Park Avenue near East Irvington Road, across the street from their home.
The toddler bolted into the street to greet her. The move was unexpected, and the teenage relative watching Billy could not catch up to him in time. The boy was hit and killed by a southbound truck. The driver did not stop.
STATUS
The truck was described as a 2007 or 2008 Chevrolet Silverado with a chrome roll bar, likely maroon, dark red or black, and it was the LS or LT model, according to police.
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The Tucson Police Department, through its 88-CRIME hotline, received few tips and no suspects were ever identified. The case remains closed pending any new information.
Investigators could not determine whether or not the driver was aware that a child was hit, said Sgt. Matt Ronstadt, spokesman for TPD.
According to investigators, "Without that actual driver, this collision could not then and still cannot be investigated to that point."
ABOUT THE SERIES
The Star will feature some of the Tucson-area violent crimes that remain unsolved - sometimes many years later.
Anyone with information is urged to call 88-CRIME. Tips also can be submitted online at www.88crime.org; or by text message at 274637, then enter tip259 plus your text message.
Contact reporter Kimberly Matas at kmatas@azstarnet.com or at 573-4191 if you have been a victim of an unsolved crime or if you are related to a victim.
Billy Montoya Jr.
