Police are seeking the public's help to find the driver who they say possibly hit and killed a 13-month-old child Wednesday morning on Chapman Highway, according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

The Sevier County Sheriff's Office and the Tennessee Highway Patrol responded to reports of a child hit at 10:05 a.m. by a car traveling northbound near the area of 12806 Chapman Highway.

The toddler was taken to UT Medical Center.

The suspect is believed to be driving a Red Pontiac Vibe 4-door. The Tennessee Highway Patrol is now offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the location of the vehicle and arrest of the person responsible for the crash.

The Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner David Purkey issued a statement about the tragic crash.

"I’m asking my fellow East Tennesseans to help us locate this vehicle and driver, as we honor the life of this little baby. Someone knows who this driver is. This driver needs to do the right thing and come forward today," Purkey said. "Make no mistake about it, our State Troopers will prevail and locate this vehicle. They always do."

One woman who asked for her name not to be released told Local 8 News she saw the young toddler playing on the side of the road with no adult in sight.

"In the corner of my eye I saw a little girl sitting on the curb right by the road. She was wearing a little pink top and could barely straddle the curb," said the witness.

Anyone with information on the suspect or the vehicle sought is asked to contact the THP Knoxville District Dispatch Center at 865-544-3380 and ask for Sergeant Steve Manning.