A mom in Georgia, is grieving the loss of her 7-year-old son. The 7-year-old boy died after reportedly falling off the back of an SUV. According to the family, the driver of the SUV, who is a relative of the boy, didn’t realize the 7-year-old had gotten onto his vehicle.
On Saturday, November 9, Bleckley County Sheriff Daniel Cape confirmed “a juvenile child” died as a result of this tragic accident.
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The death is still under investigation.
According to the sheriff’s statement, the incident, which he described as a “a motor vehicle/pedestrian accident,” occurred at around 6:20 p.m. on November 8. The incident is under investigation. However, the sheriff noted that “it is not believed that any charges will be filed at this point.”
The sheriff expressed his condolences.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to publicly express my condolences to the family and friends of the deceased and ask that each of you reading this do the same,” the sheriff stated. “As a community, this is a time to come together, mourn, and support the family, not just today but in the coming weeks and months, as this is not a burden to try to carry alone.”
Out of respect for the grieving family, Cape did not include the child’s name in the news release. The boy’s aunt, Alexius Woodfaulk, created a GoFundMe page to support the boy’s mother and help raise money to cover funeral expenses.
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The boy was reportedly standing on the back bumper of his grandfather's vehicle.
Per WMAZ, the accident occurred because the boy’s grandfather didn’t realize that the boy was standing on the back bumper of his SUV.
The boy’s mom, Cynthia Byrd, told the news outlet that “he was standing on the back of the truck and his papa didn’t even know he was on the truck.” After driving a short distance, the boy reportedly fell off the vehicle, resulting in his death. When the boy’s grandfather realized what had happened, he was “devastated,” she said.
The boy's aunt is also devastated by the loss.
Woodfaulk has raised more than $5,000 for the boy’s mother via her GoFundMe fundraiser. On November 10, she shared an update to thank people for their support. “Thanks ya’ll so much for the donations so far we appreciate everything ❤️,” she wrote.
When speaking to WMAZ, she opened up about her grief. “In order for me to have peace somebody’s got to come towards me and give me that closure that I need,” she told the news outlet.
The 7-year-old's school described him as a 'beautiful child.'
After his death, Bleckley County Primary School shared an emotional statement about the tragic loss of “a beloved member of our school community.”
“In times like these, it’s essential to come together and support one another,” the statement noted. The school also noted it has counselors available for students and staff members. “We send our deepest condolences to the family and all who knew this beautiful child. We will remember his bright spirit, sweet nature, and incredible work ethic. He will always be close to our hearts.”
