A 13-year-old boy has died in New Jersey after his e-bike collided with a landscaping truck earlier this week, officials confirmed.
The crash happened Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 24, according to a statement from the Scotch Plains Police Department. At around 2:12 p.m., officers responded to the intersection of Mountain Avenue and Mountainview Avenue, where they found the boy — identified by family as Nico Lombardi — critically injured.
Emergency crews from the Scotch Plains Fire Department transported him to a Newark hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Police said the truck driver remained nearby and is cooperating with the investigation, which is still ongoing.
Scotch Plains Mayor Josh Losardo shared his condolences in a statement to PEOPLE, calling the tragedy a “heartbreaking loss” that has shaken the community.
“The Scotch Plains-Fanwood Board of Education has been notified, and they are preparing to have counselors available to support students and staff during this difficult time,” Losardo said. He also noted that a memorial for Nico will be held on Saturday, Sept. 27, at Rossi Funeral Home.
“At moments like this, it is more important than ever that we come together as a community, to support one another, to lean on each other, and to show compassion in the face of tragedy,” he wrote. “We extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of this child. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers as they endure the unimaginable.”
A GoFundMe page set up on behalf of Nico’s family — which has raised more than $152,000 as of Friday, Sept. 26 — describes him as a young teen with a deep love for basketball. His family is now working to establish a basketball scholarship in his name at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School.
“This scholarship will honor his memory by supporting student athletes who share that same love for the sport,” the message reads. The family also plans to contribute to the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Police Athletic League (PAL) in Nico’s honor to help create additional scholarships.
According to his obituary, Nico is survived by his parents and his two “devoted siblings.”
