Tomás Molina, a 12-year-old boy, was fatally hit by a car while crossing a street in West Hempstead (Long Island, NY), reported the county police Nassau.
The family of the Hispanic boy said that at that time he was walking to a friend’s house to do some schoolwork when he was hit by a vehicle on Woodfield Road, near Lindberg Street, shortly before 1 pm on Sunday. He died of his injuries at the hospital, while the driver remained on the scene, but was not identified.
Molina’s father, who bears the same name as his son, told News12 that he was “devastated and shattered” by the tragedy and called him a smart and outgoing 7th grader. “It has been very hard for the family, they are all very close, it has been very difficult to accept.”
“He was on his way to do homework with friends, and his mom gave him permission to go and everything happened after that,” added the worker from the building. This is an immigrant family from Honduras, detailed Newsday.
The superintendent of West Hempstead sent a letter offering his condolences, saying in part: “Tomas was on his way to the honor roll. Tomas had a big smile and was always willing to lend a hand to a classmate.”
Neighbors told News 12 that road accidents along the stretch of Woodfield Road are common. Tomás’ school is offering student support services and a GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family pay for funeral expenses.
In a similar case, a 5-year-old Hispanic boy was fatally run over last month while walking with his father and brother in Queens (NYC). The driver fled but was arrested weeks later.