An Arizona community is mourning the loss of a 4-year-old boy who tragically died last week after being struck by a car while crossing the street with his mother.
The accident happened during the early evening of Monday, Aug. 18, at a crosswalk near 36th Street and McDowell Road in east Phoenix, according to AzFamily, NBC affiliate KPNX and ABC affiliate KNXV.
Phoenix police arrived at the scene to find the boy, identified in media reports as Miguel Dominguez, unconscious and severely injured. He was transported to a hospital, where he later died from his injuries, authorities said.
Police reported that Miguel was walking slightly ahead of his mother in the crosswalk when he was struck. His mother was also hit but did not suffer serious injuries. The driver stayed at the scene, and impairment is not suspected. The crash remains under investigation.
Teachers at the Magical Star Pre-School, where Miguel had attended for two years, described him as a bright, enthusiastic child who loved singing and was always eager to participate.
“He was just the brightest light. He used to be one of the shiest kids that I knew, and this last year, he actually came out of his shell so much,” Jessica Layton told KPNX.
Magical Star Pre-School Director Eileen Buckley also shared her heartbreak over Miguel’s passing. “Kids keep asking, ‘Where is he?’ ” she said. “I haven’t even told them. I don’t know how. Would they understand? It’s just so sad. Nobody should lose a child. I’m going to miss everything about him.”
On Saturday, Aug. 23, the pre-school hosted a charity car wash in its parking lot to support Miguel’s family, drawing many members of the community.
“He was just a happy kid, just a joy to be around,” Thomas Frontz, the pre-school’s owner, said, per AzFamily. “I drove these students all the time. I was a bus driver three days a week, and it’s just a tragedy. I don’t think we can do enough.”
Tamir Fears, who helped organize the car wash, said his children, classmates of Miguel, are struggling to come to terms with the loss.
“They were classmates and they still ask about him every morning. It’s been a very tough week,” Fears told KNXV.
