Child killed, another injured after being hit by car while walking home from school in Wilmington, Delaware
WILMINGTON, Del. (CBS) - A 10-year-old boy has died after he was hit by a car walking home from school with his best friend Monday afternoon in Wilmington, Delaware, according to New Castle County Police. The boy's friend, a 12-year-old, was also injured.
The two boys were walking home from Marbrook Elementary School when they were struck by a 17-year-old driving a maroon SUV near the intersection of Faulkland and Centerville roads just after 4 p.m. Monday, police said.
Both were transported to Nemours Children's Hospital, where the 10-year-old died. The other child, a 12-year-old boy, was treated for injuries and released, police said.
A maroon Hyundai Santa Fe driven by a 17-year-old boy was traveling west on Faulkland Road when it crossed into the opposite lane and then struck the children, who were on the sidewalk, according to police. The car kept moving until it hit a house.
Officials said everyone involved received medical treatment at the scene. The driver was treated at Christiana Hospital and released.
New Castle County police visited Marbrook Elementary School on Tuesday to visit with classmates and also support the crossing guard who witnessed the crash. The crossing guard was back at work Tuesday.
"It's tough. It's tough for him, but he was determined to come to work this morning because he felt he had to do this job and continue to do his job," New Castle County Police Col. Joseph Block said. "He did share with me he was upset. So we'll be reaching out to him to provide further support and make sure he gets what he needs. It's never easy, but it's commendable he was here this morning to continue to support these kids."
Close-knit community mourns and leans on each other during this time of grief
It was an emotional day at Marbrook Elementary School in Wilmington on Tuesday. New Castle County police and their facility dog, Nikko, met with the school's crossing guards and comforted students after their classmate died walking home from school Monday.
"Well, I have three children so I can't even imagine," Leslie White said.
White said she heard the crash at Centerville and Faulkland roads and ran to help.
"He was just so happy, he was such a happy little boy, and he would always wave," she said.
Now, as this community copes with the pain, some neighbors say this is a dangerous intersection and are calling for something to be done.
"They're jumping the light and they're going too fast," neighbor Essie Burke said.
"At the very least, they need to put cameras here," neighbor Steven Dougherty said. "Every day someone is running a red light and they're going real quick."
Police did not say if speed was a factor in the crash. As for the 17-year-old, he's not been charged as the investigation continues.
Counselors are available at the school, and the district said the community will get through this difficult time together.
The crash remains under investigation and detectives are asking any witnesses or may have surveillance video to contact them at Detective Corey Belk at 302-395-8052 or by e-mail at corey.belk@newcastlede.gov or to call the New Castle County Division of Police non-emergency number at 302-573-2800.
