No Leads in Hit-Run
      By Steven Gray
      Washington Post Staff Writer      Tuesday, March 21, 2000; Page B04

      A 5-year-old boy struck by a car and dragged more than a half-mile in
      downtown Silver Spring on Saturday remained in critical condition last
      night, and Montgomery County investigators said they had no solid leads
      pointing them to the driver, who left the scene.

      Byron K. Lewis Jr. was in intensive care at Children's Hospital, where he
      is being treated for fractures to his pelvis and one thigh. His father
      said Bryon's face was burned to the bone in places, and doctors said he
      probably will lose his left ear.

      Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan (D), taking note of the
      accident, said yesterday that he will appoint a panel to find ways to make
      county streets safer for pedestrians.

      Investigators said the accident occurred about 7:15 p.m., as Byron held
      the hand of a family friend while walking in the crosswalk at Georgia
      Avenue and Colesville Road. Someone driving a silver sedan resembling a
      Mitsubishi or Nissan tried to beat a red light and turned left onto
      southbound Georgia, striking Byron and trapping him in the undercarriage,
      police said.

      The car swerved and struck a curb in the 8600 block of Georgia Avenue,
      popping off a hubcap, police said. Investigators said it's unlikely the
      hubcap alone will lead to the car.

      As Bryon was dragged, his body bounced between the street and the car's
      undercarriage, just below the engine, police said.

      A witness told investigators yesterday that he saw the boy scooped onto
      the car's hood, where he remained for at least three seconds before
      falling under the vehicle. The unidentified witness ran after the car
      until it reached a red light, then looked the driver in the eye and said,
      "Look, you've got a kid under your car!" said the boy's father, Bryon K. Lewis Sr.

      The driver turned right onto Bonifant Street, then south onto Fenton
      Street, where Bryon came free.

      "Maybe he worked himself through" to free himself, said police spokeswoman Joyce Barrow.

      "Somebody saw this. Somebody's car has damage," said Montgomery County
      Police Chief Charles A. Moose. "Hopefully, someone will help us resolve this matter."

      Byron lives in the 2600 block of Bowen Road SE and attends Watkins
      Elementary School.

      Last night, as dozens of family members weaved through a third-floor
      waiting room at the hospital, Byron's father said he felt no animosity.
      "I won't say I knew what God was training me for, but he brought me to
      this level of faith," said the elder Lewis, an ordained minister. "I've
      already forgiven whoever's done this."

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