Teammates Pay Tribute to Teen Killed by Hit-and-Run Driver

Deputies in Dallas County are still looking for the driver who hit and killed a teenager with an SUV and kept going.

Saturday, the victim, 17-year-old Joseph Huerta, was remembered by classmates.

Huerta was a soccer player and cross country runner at North Mesquite High School.

The cross country team left a pair of Huerta’s tennis shoes at the starting line as a symbol that the teen, described as fun-loving and lighthearted, was there in spirit. Students hugged and cried as the race began.

“We’ll live through each day with the thought of him in our hearts,” said teammate Moisces Nunez.

Huerta was in what appeared to be a minor crash on the Frontage Road of U.S. 80 in Sunnyvale at about 10 p.m. Thursday.

Sheriff deputies said he walked onto the highway and was struck by a driver who didn't stop. Investigators have only a vague description of the vehicle described as a dark-colored small SUV.

“I'm going to miss having him next to me because he would encourage me and he would push me just how I would push him and I'm going to miss that,” said teammate Ramon Martinez.

Friday, friends released balloons on campus and at a nearby park where Huerta and his teammates used to hang out together.