Family photo
Derrick Johnson
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- A Providence man whom the police said was driving a car that killed a 6-year-old boy in Providence Sunday is being held on an immigration detainer.
The Providence police said Andres Morales, 39, was driving a pickup truck in the area of 98-100 Rosedale St. just before 6 p.m. Sunday when Derrick Johnson, 6, got out of his mother's car and ran across the street to his aunt's house. The pickup truck struck the Providence child, causing serious head injuries, Deputy Police Chief Thomas F. Oates III said. Derrick was taken to Hasbro Children's Hospital, where he died of his injuries, Oates said.
An autopsy concluded the child died of "blunt force head injuries" consistent with the crash, a spokeswoman for the health department said.
Morales, of 279 Waverly St., pleaded not guilty through a translator Monday morning in District Court, Providence, to a charge of driving without a license.
The original version of this story was posted at 10:21 a.m.