PARIS — A Leavitt Area High School student died Saturday night after the vehicle that struck him fled the scene.

In a Paris Police Department release posted Sunday by the Bangor Daily News, Xavier Fuentes of Turner was walking on the Buckfield Road in South Paris around 8:30 p.m. when he was struck by a vehicle, possibly with an attached plow.

The release said Fuentes was sent to Stephens Memorial Hospital in Norway where he was pronounced dead.

Police and fire crews set up a roadblock Sunday evening on Route 117 near the accident scene, checking vehicles for damage consistent with Saturday’s hit-and-run incident.

As many as a dozen officers from local, state and county departments were questioning drivers Sunday about their whereabouts at the time of Saturday night’s incident.

While the Paris Police department searched for the driver, Fuentes’ friends and family members posted messages of grief and condolence on Facebook. His grandmother offered a reward.

“My heart is breaking so so bad I just cant believe that this is real My grandson Xavier dear sweet Xavier is gone way to soon I love you so much. I will miss you so much, Fuentes’ grandmother Janice Moore posted. “Please pass the word anyone knowing of someone with damage to their car in the area please come forward. Please pass the word on we need to find the person that hit him.

“If it was an accident or you hit something and didn’t realize what it was, please come forward. Will everyone please forward this and get the word out.
$1,000.00 reward for information at this time.”

Not wanting friends and family to turn to anger over Fuentes’ death, Moore posted this: “Xavier doesn’t want us to hate the person who hit him. He doesn’t want hate and discontent. He wants justice and fairness. If this person was drunk or whatever the case they and their family will need help too. Xavier wants peace. I love him so much.”

Fuentes’ stepsister, Kelsey Provost, remembered their childhood together: “Sitting here thinking about our crazy childhood. I can’t help but smile because of all the amazing memories that we had.

“As kids we were always around one another and we were always smiling. When I think of you, Xavier I will remember you being a funny and very wise child.

“I love you so much and today it’s so hard to believe that you are gone. Hopefully one day we will have all the answers and this will all make sense.”

Stephanie Baker, who identified herself as the girlfriend of Fuentes’ brother Cameron, referred to him as her own brother: “Somebody knows what happened to my brother and the very least they can do is explain themselves.

“My brother doesn’t deserve this and neither does my mother. Please share and  maybe someone will come forward, even if it is anonymously. Thank you for all the prayers and support and please continue to pray.

“Tonight heaven gained one incredible, young, handsome man, I know you’re playing some crazy box right now, drinking some Dew and eating a boatload of chocolate like you always have every time I’ve seen you.”

“I know you’re watching over your whole family right now, I love you, Xavier, and you’ll be missed dearly. May you rest in peace.”

Anyone with information or possible leads may call the Paris Police Department at 207-743-7448 or email detective@parismaine.org.

dmcintire@sunjournal.com