Boy, 9, Struck and Killed by Car After Running into Street While Playing Outside His Home

Authorities in Summit County are investigating a Friday afternoon collision that claimed the life of a 9-year-old boy in a residential neighborhood.

The Summit County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Samuel Rife, a third-grade student, died from injuries sustained after being struck by a vehicle on Peachwood Way in the city of Green. The incident occurred at approximately 4:30 p.m. on April 17.

According to investigators, Rife reportedly ran into the street and was struck by a 2025 Jeep Wrangler. The vehicle was operated by an 81-year-old man, whose identity has not yet been formally released.

The Summit Metro Crash Response Team is currently conducting an open investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatality. Preliminary findings from the Sheriff’s Office indicate that neither vehicle speed nor driver impairment appears to be a contributing factor in the crash.

While the driver has been identified, law enforcement officials stated that potential charges remain pending the conclusion of the full investigative report.

The Green Fire Department transported Rife to Akron Children’s Hospital, where medical staff later pronounced him dead. Neighbors and bystanders reportedly attempted life-saving measures, including CPR, immediately following the impact.

Madeline Rife, the boy’s mother, was home at the time and described a scene of immediate community mobilization. “One of my neighbors called 911 and helped with the first CPR attempts,” she told the Akron Beacon Journal.

Samuel was the son of J. Harlen Rife, pastor of Greensburg United Methodist Church, and Madeline Rife. Known by neighbors as “Mr. Mayor” for his precocious social skills, Samuel was a frequent volunteer at local food distributions and housing organizations.

“He could talk to anybody,” Harlen Rife said, noting his son’s passion for military history and community service.

Despite the tragedy, the Rife family expressed a rare moment of grace toward the driver involved. “Our hearts also go out to the driver,” Harlen Rife stated. “From what we understand, this was a really unfortunate accident. We understand they were devastated as well.”

In lieu of traditional memorials, a GoFundMe campaign has been established to benefit Family Support Specialists at Green City Schools. The funds will support food security initiatives, a cause Samuel championed through his volunteer work in Akron and Canton.

The Summit County Sheriff’s Office has not provided a timeline for when the investigation will be finalized.