15-year-old boy fighting for his life after being dragged in grisly hit-and-run in South L.A.

LOS ANGELES - A 15-year-old boy is fighting for his life after he was dragged underneath a car for a quarter of a mile in a grisly hit-and-run in South Los Angeles Tuesday night.

Police responded to the intersection of Martin Luther King Boulevard and Woodlawn Avenue around 9 p.m., where they located the victim, identified by family as Roberto Diaz. The driver did not stop to help. Diaz was taken to a hospital in critical condition, according to Officer Drake Madison of the Los Angeles Police Department.

He was riding his bike in a crosswalk when he was struck, according to LAPD.

Diaz was having dinner with a friend when he went to a market on East 37th Street and Maple Avenue to purchase a soda. His friend became concerned once he did not return. His friend went to look for him when he saw his bike in the street. His friend then raced home to get Diaz’s phone and to contact authorities.

Diaz was alert when officers arrived to the scene and was able to say a few words, requesting that they contact his mother. 

“I’m surprised that he’s still alive…the fact that he’s young gives us hope he’ll pull through,” said Detective Moses Castillo with LAPD. 

Castillo also said this is one of the most horrific cases he’s seen. 

Police are looking for a blue Honda Civic or Accord, with tinted windows, front end damage, possibly with blood on its exterior. 

FOX 11 spoke to the victim’s mother, Bellen Garcia, who asked the suspect to “have a heart…he’s just a little boy, please turn yourself in.”

After learning that her son asked for her, Garcia said it broke her heart to know her son needed her and she was able to be there. 

Diaz plans to join the U.S. Army to serve his country, Garcia said. 

He was taken into surgery and is was in intensive care. He wsa listed in critical condition. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact LAPD.