Upon being charged, the defense attorney said his client would plead not guilty to running over a little boy on a bike in Coon Rapids and fleeing the scene.

More than four months later, Nathan W. Boese pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing next month in connection with crashing into Amir Taylor, of Minneapolis, on June 13, 2012.

Boese, 33, of Coon Rapids, admitted in Anoka County District this week to leaving the scene of a crash involving injury, a felony. Dismissed was a more serious charge of criminal vehicular operation involving leaving the scene.

Amir was riding his bicycle near his grandmother's house near Moor Park when he was struck around 7 p.m., still well before dark. He was taken to North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale with major head injuries and then moved to Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare in St. Paul for continued rehabilitation.

Investigators spoke to Boese after being told that he had sought repairs for a vehicle matching the description of the pickup involved in the hit-and-run. He had told them he was not involved in the crash, according to court documents. After his arrest and posting of bond, defense attorney Steven Meshbesher said Boese would plead not guilty.

Records indicate that Boese has had convictions over 15 years for first-degree drug possession, drunken driving, burglary and underage drinking.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482