3-year-old boy killed on his birthday in hit-and-run

Kevin “KJ” Kitt turned 3 Monday, the same day he was killed in a hit-and-run while playing with his brother in the driveway of a Hopkins home.

Some family members said Tuesday it was the boy’s uncle who ran over him, then drove off and is still on the run. The S.C. Highway Patrol identified the driver early Tuesday as Corey Kitt, 36, of Hopkins.

KJ was playing with his 1-year-old brother, Kayden Kitt, when the incident occurred around 4:30 p.m., according to the Highway Patrol. Kayden was taken to Palmetto Health Richland with minor injuries and was back Tuesday at the family’s Davis Road home in Hopkins with a few bandages.

Julia Hadley, one of the boys’ aunts, said Corey Kitt was visiting the household and washing his car. Hadley wasn’t present when the incident happened, but said family told her that her brother pulled forward and struck the children.

Hadley said Tuesday her brother should turn himself in to law enforcement.

“He is selfish, and he needs to turn himself in,” Hadley said. “Do the right thing – for your nephew.”

Another aunt, Megan Kitt, said she looked out a house window after the incident and saw her sister-in-law – the boys’ mother – screaming. KJ was on the ground.

She went outside to try to help. “He was bleeding to death, and I was down there trying to help him, but there was nothing I could do,” she said.

Megan Kitt said she asked her brother – who she said had backed off the child and gotten out of the car – what he had done, but he left without saying anything.

Corey Kitt has several driving-related convictions, including reckless driving, driving without a license and driving under suspension, according to a State Law Enforcement Division background check.

He also has several other convictions, including for domestic violence, shoplifting and drug possession.

Highway Patrol is searching for Corey Kitt, and has warrants out for his arrest, Lance Cpl. David Jones said.

Anyone with information should call Highway Patrol at *HP or CrimeStoppers at (888) CRIME-SC.

This story was originally published June 14, 2016 at 5:57 PM with the headline "3-year-old boy killed on his birthday in hit-and-run."