Editor's note: This story has been updated.
A 15-year-old boy was killed in a hit-and-run crash in Anderson Township early Monday.
Eli Jones was struck in the 8400 block of Clough Pike just before 1 a.m., according to the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office. The injured teen was taken to Mercy Hospital, where he died.
A news release from the sheriff's office states three people in a passing vehicle noticed the teen lying in the road and called 911 after arriving back to a nearby Taco Bell where they worked.
One of those men suffered a heart attack after they called police, spoke to deputies and left the scene. He is in critical condition at Mercy Hospital, his son told Fox19.
The striking vehicle was westbound on Clough Pike when it hit the teen. Due to vehicle parts left at the crash site, investigators are looking for a Honda Civic missing its front right fender well. The vehicle was last seen turning into a driveway and fleeing east on Clough Pike toward Clermont County, according to investigators.
The coroner's report lists the teen's home address in the same block as the crash site.
Eli was a 10th-grader at Anderson High School, Forest Hills Superintendent Larry R. Hook said in a letter to families.
"This tragedy is devastating to our Anderson High School community and for the entire district," Hook said in the letter. Additional counseling staff will be available to help students cope, he said.
Doug Stansell, 56, of Union Township, and his two children in his vehicle spotted the teen lying in the road and called 911, Jon Stansell, 21, said. Doug Stansell's 19-year-old son was also in the vehicle.
The three turned back to check on the teen and stayed and talked to deputies, Jon Stansell said. They left 45 minutes later to pick up his two sisters, 26 and 29, who were working at a nearby Taco Bell, he said.
Doug Stansell collapsed in the driver's seat of the Jeep Cherokee as they were waiting in the parking lot, his son said.
His family said they think the stress and trauma of seeing the teen brought on the heart attack. He is in critical condition and the family is holding a vigil at Mercy Hospital Anderson.
“My dad is one of the kindest, nicest, big-hearted men you ever could meet. You couldn’t ask for a better father or a better best friend,” Jon Stansell said.
The family is also concerned for the teen's family.
"We just want to send condolences to the family,” Doug Stansell’s wife, Chrissy Stansell said.
Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to call the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office Traffic Safety Unit at 513-825-1500.
Enquirer media partner Fox19 contributed to this report.
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