Royce Atkins, 22, will have to answer in Northampton County Court for a Nov. 6 hit-and-run accident that left a 9-year-old Hanover Township boy dead.

Darious Condash, along with a 14-year-old cousin and 15-year-old friend, had just left the WaWa store on Schoenersville Road, at about 6:30 p.m. The store is located about a quarter mile from Darious’ home.

When he dropped a piece of candy while crossing the road, and stepped back to pick it up, he was struck by Atkins’ blue Mazda.

Atkins left the scene without stopping, but admitted his involvement to a detective who approached him three days later.

Darious was in the fourth grade at Scheckler Elementary School, Catasauqua. At a preliminary hearing Jan. 15, Magisterial District Judge James Narlesky ruled there is sufficient evidence to send the case to the county court of common pleas.

Atkins faces charges of careless driving, a summary offense and the more serious charge of failing to stop at an accident involving death or serious bodily injury. That is a second degree felony with a mandatory minimum sentence of three years in prison and a mandatory minimum fine of $2,500.

Formal arraignment has been scheduled for March 17 in Easton.

Atkins may plead guilty, not guilty or seek some other disposition.

He is free on $50,000 bail.

A makeshift memorial still exists at the roadside where Darious was struck.