A Michigan mother says her 11-year-old son was fatally struck by a car while walking to a nearby store to buy snacks.
The Taylor Police Department said it received an emergency call at about 6:37 p.m. local time on Tuesday, Feb. 10, reporting that a child had been hit by a vehicle near Pond Village Drive and Eureka Road. Officers arrived and provided life-saving aid, but the boy later died after being taken to a local hospital.
Police said alcohol and narcotics are not believed to be factors in the crash. The driver stayed at the scene and is cooperating with investigators. The department said the incident remains under investigation and asked the community to keep the child’s family and those affected in their thoughts and prayers.
Although authorities did not release the boy’s name, family members identified him as Jacob Robinson, according to a local report. His mother, Tonoya Robinson, said he left home on foot to buy snacks and that she had urged him to return before dark. When she could no longer reach him, she said she feared something was wrong after hearing ambulance sirens. She added that he was not in a crosswalk when he was hit.
Jacob was a sixth-grade student in Ecorse Public Schools, the district said in a statement on Wednesday, Feb. 11. The district noted that he has siblings in other schools and said grief counseling would be provided to staff and students in the coming days.
A GoFundMe has been created to help support the family and cover funeral expenses.
