Vehicle strikes, kills young boy

JAMESTOWN, N.Y. (WIVB) - A young boy was struck and killed by a vehicle Wednesday afternoon in Jamestown after police say he darted into traffic.

Jamestown Police have not released the 11-year-old boy's name but word is quickly spreading around the small city from eyewitnesses who actually saw his young life taken in a split second as he tried crossing the street.

It was after school at about 4 p.m. on North Main Street near 12th Street in Jamestown when the boy, who was walking to a friend's house, stepped out from behind two parked cars and tried to cross the busy street. He was struck and killed at the scene.

"A small sport utility vehicle [was] involved. Again, there's no reason to believe that any speed or any negligence was involved on any part of the operator. This was just a tragic accident that occurred and unfortunately, this little boy was in the wrong place at the wrong time," said Jamestown Police Capt. Robert Samuelson.

Claudia Watson lives in front of where the accident happened and immediately had a flashback to two years ago.

"I thought of my daughter, because she got hit in the same exact spot and she was 9-years-old, 86 pounds, broke her jaw. And when she got hit, I said the same thing: "They need to put a light." They don't stop, they speed, they don't pay attention. And that was right around school time. Same time," she said.

"It's really hard because they don't have a street light [at the intersection]," said Isiah Lopez.

The boy was a fifth grader at the Washington School in Jamestown. Within hours, people were bringing toys and candles to the scene. Many didn't even know him, but saw the tragic accident on the busy street.

Capt. Samuelson said, "We just like to tell parents to make sure your kids understand they need to look both ways before they cross the street and always be cautious of traffic. This is a tragic accident that could have been prevented."

Police say the driver of the SUV was absolutely devastated about what happened. Authorities do not believe the driver was at fault, so at this point, the driver has not been charged.