Andrew R. Finnell’s family will miss his “amazing character and energy.”

The 17-year-old Renton youth died Tuesday morning at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle of injuries he suffered Sunday when he was struck by a hit-and-run driver while riding his skateboard in the Highlands.

The driver of the Dodge Magnum, 16-year-old Darius C. Owens of Renton, was charged Wednesday with felony hit and run. His arraignment was Thursday morning in Juvenile Court.

At Owens’ first court appearance Tuesday, he was released into the custody of his mother so he could return to school. He was arrested Sunday.

Andrew’s family, asking for privacy, issued a statement Tuesday through Harborview Medical Center.

“It is with a heavy heart that we share the death of our beloved Andrew. His amazing character and energy will be greatly missed. Our prayers go out to the family of the driver – this was a tragic accident affecting many. We respectfully and firmly request privacy at this very difficult time.”

Finnell was a senior at the Renton School District’s Secondary Learning Center.

“The school has additional counselors available to speak with and console students and staff,” said district spokesman Randy Matheson.

The district is also working with Owens’ family “to decide on an appropriate educational setting,” he said.

Andrew’s family and friends helped officers locate Owens by looking at his Facebook page.

It was about 5:40 p.m. on Sunday when Andrew, riding his skateboard on Northeast First Place, saw a white Dodge Magnum approach him from behind, according to court documents.  He put up his arm behind him, his palm up, to signal the driver to slow down or back away.

But the driver continued, striking Andrew and causing life-threatening injuries.

Andrew’s brother Spencer Finnell and Rhyan Demile were nearby. As the Magnum approached him, Spencer slammed his hands on the car and asked the driver, “Why did you hit my brother?” The driver asked him why his brother was on the street. Spencer didn’t answer but again asked him why he hit his brother.

Spencer turned to help his brother, thinking the driver would stay. But the driver left, without providing information, checking Andrew for injuries or calling for aid, according to court documents.

Rhyan thought he recognized the driver as a current or former Hazen High School student.

Andrew was treated and taken to Harborview.

Neighbors directed investigators to a house on nearby Whitman Place Northeast, where a white Magnum has parked.

The Magnum was parked in the garage, close to a porch that leads into the home. An officer noticed some damage, but a resident told the officer she has no high-school-age children, according to court documents.

By now Andrew’s brother and friends had come up with the name of a possible suspect. Rhyan Demile confirmed the suspect was the driver when he looked at Owens’ Facebook page.

Investigators were notified and went to address associated with Owens’ name. They were told the white Magnum belonged to Owens’ mother, who officers had contacted earlier on Whitman Place.

As officers stood by, the garage door opened and the Magnum was inside.  Human flesh was noticed on the car.

Inside the home, Owens admitted to officers he had hit Andrew while driving the Magnum and then fled.