A man who federal officials say was deported from the United States four times before allegedly fatally striking an 11-year-old boy with his vehicle in Escondido, then fleeing the scene, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to a felony count of hit-and-run causing death.

Hector Amador Balderas, 44, is charged with hitting Aiden Antonio Torres De Paz with his vehicle last Wednesday, then driving away from the scene.

Witnesses said Aiden went into the street to retrieve a soccer ball when he was hit at about 5 p.m. near the intersection of East Washington Avenue and Hickory Street. He was rushed to Rady Children's Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries Thanksgiving morning, police said.

An Escondido Police Department statement indicated tips from the public aided in Amador Balderas' capture.

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