Five years after a 16-year-old boy was intentionally struck by a vehicle in East York and left for dead, police say they are still searching for the driver and pleading with the passenger to speak to investigators.

On October 7, 2019, Matthew Dreaver and his 14-year-old friend were in the area of ​​Woodbine Avenue and O’Connor Drive around 2 a.m. when they had an “interaction” with two men at the back of a Shoppers Drug store. Walk.

Although the nature of this interaction remains unclear to this day, Det. Sgt. Brandon Price of the Homicide and Missing Persons Unit said the two men then got into their SUV and began “chasing” the boys, who fled on foot.

After searching the area for the boys in the vehicle, described as a black or blue 2007 to 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV, Price said the two found the boys near Stan Wadlow Park. The passenger then got out of the vehicle, while the driver continued to chase the boys in his SUV, Price said.

According to the investigation, police believe the driver climbed onto the curb, drove onto the sidewalk, onto the grass, and then intentionally struck Dreaver with the SUV.

Video released following the incident at the time showed the two boys running away from the approaching vehicle before Dreaver was struck. His friend is seen stopping to help Dreaver as he lies on the ground, before the SUV turns around and passes the boys.

The teen was rushed to the hospital without vital signs and was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

Matthew Dreaver, 16, is seen in this undated photograph provided by the family.

In an update Friday, Price said investigators have not yet identified the occupants of the SUV, but said he believes the passenger was not in the vehicle at the time of the fatal hit-and-run and that He did not know the driver’s intentions.

“I want to speak with you as a witness to this event,” Price said at a news conference Friday. “I need you to come talk to us so we can solve this case, find justice for Matthew, bring closure to Kelly, her mother and the entire family, including her friends, and, of course, the great community.”

This is a developing story. More to come.