Police on Saturday arrested a Rock Hill man in connection to the fatal hit-and-run that claimed the life of 15-year-old Christopher Ryan Lanier.
Authorities charged Santiago D. Solis, 30, of 1715 Heather Square with leaving the scene of a death and driving without a South Carolina driver's license, said Lance Cpl. Josef Robinson of South Carolina Highway Patrol.
Authorities since Friday evening had been looking for a dark-colored Ford pickup truck with an extended cab, tinted windows and chrome wheels. Robinson said Solis had a 1999 Ford F-150 pickup truck.
On Saturday night, Solis' arrest was of little solace to Lanier's mother, Christie Owens.
"It doesn't take away the pain," Owens said as she reflected on her only son.
Maxine Woods wished Solis had stayed at the scene with her grandson.
"I know he most have been frightened. Anyone would be," she said. "I wish he would have stayed. He (Christopher) was a child for God's sake."
Around 5 p.m. Friday, Christopher Lanier of 651 Winding Branch Road rode a borrowed 2006 Yamaha dirt bike northbound along Adnah Church Road near Marion Street, about three miles west of Rock Hill, Robinson and Owens said.
An unknown motorist, later identified by the highway patrol as Solis, traveled southbound, Robinson said.
"The driver of the dirt bike crossed over the center line, where he was struck ...," Robinson said.
Lanier aspired to take over his father's roofing company, Owens said.
Instead, the rising sophomore at Northwestern High School died from multiple injuries Friday after he was knocked off the dirt bike and ran over, officials said.
Lanier, who loved Pizza Hut's stuffed-crust pizza, was taken to Piedmont Medical Center, where he died, York County Deputy Coroner Ev Amick said.
More than 24 hours after the fatal hit-and-run, a Rock Hill family mourned the kid with a mountain of curly hair whose favorite color was orange.
"He could be serious when he had to be, but he would always try to make you laugh," Woods said.
Lanier often spent the night at Woods' home, where grandson and grandmother watched late movies and munched on snacks.
"He made me feel loved," she said. "Out of nowhere, he would come up and hug me. He was just so special."
Officials expected to have a bond hearing for Solis late Saturday night. He remained in custody at York County Detention Center.
The period from Memorial Day to Labor Day is considered the 100 deadliest days of the year in South Carolina because of the number of highway fatalities.
As of Thursday, 467 people had died on South Carolina roads this year, according to the state highway safety office. That's down from 524 people who died on state roads through the same time last year.
