Family of 13-year-old hit by driver fleeing shooting wants justice in wake of his death

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) -- The 13-year-old who Birmingham police said was hit by a driver speeding away from the scene of a shooting Saturday night died at Children’s Hospital on Tuesday.

Now the family is demanding justice for Braylen Hardy, who was a 7^th grader at Bush Hills STEAM Academy in Birmingham.

“It’s just like, you all cut my nephew’s life short. Like, he was so much life. They need to get whoever did this,” said April Lacey.

On Friday at 6 p.m., the family wants everyone to come out to the crash site in the 2800 Block of Avenue E with black and blue balloons to honor the life of Braylen Hardy. They also want to see Birmingham police make an arrest.

April Lacey said she could hear the pain in her sister’s voice when Braylen Hardy’s mother got the call that her son had been hit by a car while sitting on his ATV.

The two women rushed to the scene, and were re-directed to Children’s Hospital.

“I never gave up on God,” Lacey explained. “I wanted him to be alright for my sister, and he was fighting, I know he was fighting, but he ain’t make it.”

She said she and the entire family were praying for a different outcome, and that the hospital did everything they could to try and save her nephew.

Now the family is planning the 13-year old’s funeral, which will take place on Nov. 9.

Lacey described her nephew as the “helper” in the family who earned good grades, was an athlete and loved to ride his ATV with his father and brothers.

She said they had just finished up a large group ride on Saturday when police said the teen was struck in the 2800 block of Avenue E by a driver speeding away from a scene after shots were fired in the 2400 block of Avenue D.

The family wants justice for a life cut short.

“Please have justice for my nephew,” Lacey said. “Just please do what’s right, he needs to be locked up, locked up forever because we’ll never see Bray.”

According to police, the unidentified driver attempted to escape on foot following the crash but was taken into custody by police.

The driver was later released. 

Birmingham police said they will not be granting interviews about the investigation until after an arrest is made.

The family has set up a Go Fund me to help cover funeral expenses:

Fundraiser for Vanessa Riggs by Vanessa Riggs : Help the Hardy Family in Memory of Braylen