Driving drunk isn’t just dangerous for the person behind the wheel; it’s also life-threatening for any potentially innocent victims in their path. Operating a vehicle under the influence is not only reckless but also selfish. Ask the family of 9-year-old Therman Wallace Jr. An alleged drunk driver ran over the little boy as he rode his bike in Rochester, Pennsylvania, on April 24, 2026. Therman died from injuries received in the accident. Sadly, the driver left the scene, mistaking Therman for nothing more than a pile of rocks.
The accident happened in the late afternoon.
Therman was on his bike at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and Lacock Street just before 5 p.m. Video surveillance caught a black truck turning right and hitting the child but not stopping, according to court documents obtained by WPXI. Rochester police officers began looking for the driver and found the truck registered to 53-year-old Thomas Earl Cole. When they caught up with him a short time later, he had a bizarre story.
Officers found Cole at his home.
Officers noted in a police report that when they spoke with Cole, he had “an odor of an intoxicating beverage on his breath.” When police asked him about his whereabouts and what he’d been doing, he allegedly asked a strange question. “How can I get a DUI if I have been drinking at my house all day?” he asked.
As the conversation continued, Cole reportedly told police he did drive through the intersection, but when he looked back, all he saw was a “pile of rocks,” WPXI reported. He apparently didn’t realize he hit Therman or he didn’t care. That’s unclear.
Police arrested Cole.
The Rochester Police Department took Cole into custody and did a blood draw, but test results are pending, per WPXI. According to Law & Crime, he is charged with vehicular homicide but could face additional charges following the blood test results.
“Given yesterday’s tragedy, we would first and foremost like to extend our condolences to the family involved. This is a fear that no family member or friend ever wants to face,” reads a Facebook post by the Rockford Area Baseball and Softball Organization shared by the police department.
Therman was a lovable and loving child.
According to his obituary, Therman was friendly and kind and loved every moment of his short life.
“He loved Minecraft, Roblox, playing UNO, fishing, and riding 4-wheelers and bikes with his brothers and friends. Therman was very outgoing and made friends everywhere he went,” his obituary reads. “Therman never knew a stranger as he thought of everyone as a ‘friend,’ leading off by saying, ‘Hey Bruh !.’”
Therman’s aunt, Veronica Belanger-Weideman, shared a link to a GoFundMe account for Therman’s family on Facebook. She hopes her nephew’s death will serve as a reminder to drivers.
“My sister and family are going through what no parent ever wants or should have to go through. My heart is breaking for them. Please slow down and watch these kids that actually want to play outside and not sit in front of a screen,” she wrote on the fundraising page.
There is absolutely no excuse for driving drunk in 2026. Cellphones, ride-share services, and a moral compass can save lives. It’s really not that hard.
