A 7-year-old child was struck and later died in South Los Angeles, California, this past Wednesday… by an ice cream truck.
The child was apparently following the truck on his electronic bicycle when he lost control.
Here’s what an LAPD police officer said:
“He was riding an electronic bike right next to the ice cream truck, apparently he may have slipped, got caught up underneath the truck, the rear wheels rolled over him.”
The child was from the neighborhood where the incident occurred, and the scene afterwards was both scary and incredibly sad. Later on the child was taken to Harbor-UCLA Medical Center where he died.
The victim’s family was obviously devastated and one witness described the scene as the following:
“I walked outside. He was lying on the ground bleeding, so I just tried to comfort the family ’cause they was screaming. It’s really sad because I have a kid that is younger than he is.”
Another neighbor said:
“He’s well-loved around here. He play with all the kids. He play with my grandson.”
It was after the accident though that a crowd formed soon afterwards and took out their distraught feelings on the ice cream truck driver. The driver said bricks were thrown at him, and someone even flashed a knife.
He was later taken to a police precinct for protection.
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Obviously we believe it was wrong for the crowd to threaten the ice cream truck driver, but we also understand how someone can get swept up in agonizing grief and anger.
Just an awful and tragic series of events. Our condolences to the family and friends mourning the loss of this way too young life.
Check out a video with more information on this story down (below) — and remember to ALWAYS be aware of traffic, and to drive safely, especially in residential neighborhoods.