Teen surrenders in St. Paul hit-and-run

A 17-year-old boy is telling St. Paul police he was lighting a cigarette when he struck a 5-year-old autistic boy in a crosswalk last week.

Police say the St. Paul teen walked in to police headquarters on Sunday with his father and the 18-year-old passenger and turned himself in.

Police aren't releasing the teen's name because he is a minor.

The teen told police he and his friend had left work and were on their way to get something to eat. After hitting the child, the teen panicked and drove home.

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Godswill Udoh was struck about 6:20 p.m. Thursday after he had climbed out of his bedroom window and wandered away.

He was taken to a local hospital in critical condition, but the Star Tribune reports he was released over the weekend.

The driver was released to his father. The investigation continues.

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