Boy Injured by Hit-Run Driver Is Still in Coma : Crime: Doctors fear 11-year-old has permanent brain damage. Police are seeking a dark gray or black 1985 Mazda that may have been the car that hit him.

An 11-year-old boy who was struck by a hit-and-run driver in front of his Harbor Gateway home on March 21 remains in a coma, and police are searching for a car that may have been involved in the accident.

Anthony Marin, a fifth-grader at Meyler Elementary School, was roller-skating in front of his family’s apartment in the 1600 block of 227th Street near Western Avenue when he was struck by a car going about 35 m.p.h. While his horrified stepfather and younger half-sister looked on, the boy was carried about 30 yards atop the car hood before the driver slowed and the boy slid to the pavement. The driver then drove away.

The boy suffered severe brain injuries and has not regained consciousness since the accident. After a week at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, he was transferred to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. His stepfather said that doctors told him the boy’s brain damage appears to be permanent.

“It’s not fair,” said Jose (Tito) Tavera, 27, the boy’s stepfather. “He’s just 11 years old. He was just starting his life. This shouldn’t have happened to him.”

Both Tavera and Anthony’s mother, Dolores Moran, 29, say they have not given up hope.

“He’s responding more now,” Moran said. “His body is getting stronger. We’re hoping for the best.”

Detective Robert Jimenez, who is investigating the case for the Los Angeles Police Department, said officers are looking for a 1985 Mazda sedan, dark gray or black, with deep chrome rims and California license plate number 3AWY350. Jimenez said police do not know for certain that the car was involved in the hit-and-run, but they want to talk to the owner and look at the car.

Jimenez asked that anyone with information about the vehicle contact the LAPD at (213) 485-2088 during working hours or 485-7336 in the evenings.