Family praying 'heartless coward' is found after hit and run kills teen

Loved ones say they're praying the "heartless coward" who struck and killed a Maynard teen during a hit and run last week is found.

Carmen Wedemeier, the aunt of 14-year-old Kaiden Estling, posted the message on a GoFundMe page for the boy, Saturday night.

"Someone struck him from behind and left him there," Wedemeier's post said. "We are all praying that this heartless coward is found soon."

The Fayette County Sheriff's Office said deputies responded to the moped crash on Highway 150 near 118th Street, about two miles south of Fayette, around 10:00 p.m., June 28.

Authorities believe Estling was driving southbound on 150 when his moped was struck by another vehicle. The teen is thought to have lost control and ended up near the ditch, on the west side of the highway.

Law enforcement said the suspect vehicle fled before deputies arrived. Estling was pronounced dead at the scene.

"He had a huge heart and one of the biggest smiles I've seen," said Estling's aunt in her online post. "He had his whole life ahead of him. We are struggling to deal with all of this hurt."

Wedemeier went on to call the collision a "senseless tragedy" saying "no mother should have to bury her son."

"April is a single parent with another son at home," said Wedemeier. "Any donation towards the funeral expense would be greatly appreciated."

Fayette County Sheriff Marty Fisher is asking potential witnesses of the collision to contact the sheriff's office at 563-422-6067.

If you'd like to donate, follow the link Estling's GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/bgwsn-justice-for-kaiden