CRAWFORD – Lowndes County sheriff’s deputies are investigating a hit-and-run that sent a 13-year-old boy to the hospital.

Deputies responded to Farmer Market Street in Crawford at about 11:30 a.m. Sunday to find the victim lying in the road, according to a sheriff’s office press release.

Witnesses told deputies there had been a fight before the boy was hit. The altercation reportedly only involved juveniles, according to the press release, and no one was seriously injured.

But as the suspect attempted to flee the area after the fight, he struck the 13-year-old with his vehicle. The victim was taken to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle before being flown to a hospital in Jackson for further treatment.

While the victim was in the hospital, the suspect returned to the scene and spoke to deputies, Sheriff Eddie Hawkins told The Dispatch.

“He was saying that he was trying to get out of the area, flee the scene from getting jumped on, and the 13-year-old ran in front of him as he was trying to leave the scene,” he said.

Hawkins said the suspect appeared to also be a victim of the altercation that took place. He expects there will be an arrest at some point, but for now, investigators are still trying to piece together details.

“No charges have been filed at this point,” Hawkins said. “Most likely, this case will be presented to a grand jury for them to make the decision on it.”

McRae is a general assignment and education reporter for The Dispatch.