Boy, 7, crushed to death chasing ball under parked truck as driver pulls out

29 February 2024 , 23:45

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Kaiden Coke died after being hit while attempting to retrieve a ball from underneath a truck on Saturday

A seven-year-old boy was tragically killed when he was hit by a truck after chasing his ball underneath before the driver pulled out.

Kaiden Coke was killed in a private car park where his ball had rolled under a parked 2011 Dodge Ram and he went to fetch it. The driver, not knowing Kaiden was there, started the truck and accidentally hit him.

Sadly, Kaiden was pronounced dead at the scene by the local coroner's office. The police are looking into the accident. They think the driver, who wasn't hurt and hasn't been named, was sober, but took samples for tests just to be sure.

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Kaiden Coke was a 'joyful' child according to his family

Kaiden's family has since set up a GoFundMe page to help pay for his funeral costs. His brother Damien wrote: "Kaidan was silly and filled with joy and we want him to be remembered properly. He was seven years old and had so much love and joy to spread."

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By Tuesday afternoon, people had already given more than $6,000. Blessed Ink, a local tattoo parlour, held a special fundraiser for Coke, of Louisiana, to help with funeral expenses. Ringgold Elementary School will also be having a balloon release this week, according to KSLA.

“This is just so hard on us because, you know, we loved him," Kaidan’s aunt, Tonie Gibson, said while speaking with CBS affiliate KSLA. "He was a good kid, and he loved playing with his ball."

Boy, 7, crushed to death chasing ball under parked truck as driver pulls out

Various establishments in the area are working on raising funds for the family

Kaiden Coke was a 'joyful' child according to his family

The family member told the news outlet that the truck that hit her nephew on School Street in Bienville Parish was a city truck for the water department. She said the driver is 'devastated.'

"He is a pretty decent guy," she said. "He was pulling off and Kaidan lost his ball and he didn't know Kaidan was in between the tires because there are four tires in the back."

This is the fourth tragic crash that Troop G of the LSP has investigated this year, according to the agency.

The LSP has given some safety tips to "greatly reduce the risk of tragic crashes" as it gets warmer and more people, especially kids, will be outdoors.

Drivers should walk around their vehicles and check the area before reversing. They should not just rely on detection devices, which "may not always be foolproof."

Kids should stand to the side of the driveway or sidewalk so they are clearly visible to drivers who are pulling out of a parking space. Extra care should be taken "when driving through residential areas," as well.

Most importantly, the LSP said to tell kids "the importance of never playing near or around cars and trucks."

"By following these safety tips, we can all play a role in preventing tragic crashes and keeping our communities safe," the LSP said.