A Clinton County community is grappling with a hit-and-run that left a 17-year-old boy fighting for his life in the early hours of Sunday. Authorities responded to an emergency call placed at approximately 2:30 a.m. near the intersection of U.S. 421 and State Road 26, close to Genda Funeral Home in Rossville, as reported by WISH-TV. The teenager, found unresponsive and believed to have been struck by a vehicle, was subsequently given life-saving aid by his mother until deputies arrived and assisted, following which he was transported to a hospital in critical condition.

Detailed descriptions provided by the Clinton County Sheriff's Office paint a picture of the teen walking on the westbound side of U.S. 421 at the time of the incident, with the offending vehicle driving southbound before fleeing the scene. In the face of little evidence and no immediate leads, the sheriff's office is offering a $500 cash reward for information that could lead to the successful identification and apprehension of a the suspect or suspects involved. They are targeting their efforts on locating a vehicle that now has likely sustained damage to the front-end and passenger side. Sources including WTHR further emphasize that this plea for tips is part of an ongoing, desperate search to hold the responsible driver accountable.

Communications with the sheriff's office delineate that anyone with information should contact Det. Greiner at the provided email address, or reach out via the provided sheriff's office phone numbers. Calls to the tip line at 765-656-8477 are particularly encouraged, as anonymity is an option for those who may fear repercussions for coming forward. The announcement of the reward and an appeal to the community was also echoed by FOX59, amplifying the urgency and hope that the heart of this small county will reveal the truths necessary to help one of its young residents obtain justice.

The incident has understandably sent shockwaves throughout the Clinton County area as residents come to terms with the violence that unfolded silently on their streets. With the suspect still at large, the emphasis is on gathering as much information as possible to ensure proper legal proceedings and a semblance of solace for the family. For now, the community holds its breath for the recovering teenager, while reflecting on the fragility of safety on its roads. Local law enforcement, armed with a combination of eyewitness accounts and forensic evidence, continue to scour for leads that might illuminate what happened in those dark early morning hours and who is responsible.