7-Year-Old Boy Dies After Crawling Underneath Truck to Retrieve Ball: 'He Was a Good Kid'

Kaiden Coke was attempting to retrieve the ball from underneath a Dodge Ram parked in a private lot in Bienville Parish when he was hit and killed, police say

• Kaiden Coke, of Ringgold, was hit and killed while attempting to retrieve a ball from underneath a truck parked in a private parking lot on Saturday, according to state police

• Police said the driver was "unaware" the boy had crawled underneath his vehicle before attempting to pull out of the lot

• Coke, who was pronounced dead the scene, was remembered by family as being "silly and filled with joy"

Police are investigating the death of a 7-year-old boy who was hit by a truck while attempting to retrieve a ball from underneath the vehicle.

Kaiden Coke, of Ringgold, “was playing with a ball” in a private parking lot in the 1300 block of School Street in Bienville Parish on Saturday when the toy rolled underneath a 2011 Dodge Ram parked nearby, according to a news release from Louisiana State Police.

Coke went underneath the vehicle, which “was backed into a parking space,” to retrieve the ball, the LSP said. The driver, who was “unaware that Coke had crawled under” the truck, then began to pull out of the space and struck the boy.

The Bienville Parish Coroner’s Office pronounced him dead at the scene.

Related: West Virginia Teacher Dies After Being Struck by Vehicle in School Parking Lot: 'Profound Tragedy'

Police believe the driver of the Ram, who was not injured and has not been identified, was't intoxicated at the time of the crash, though samples were collected for testing.

The crash remains under investigation.

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In the aftermath of his death, family members created a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for Kaidan’s cremation, funeral service, and headstone.

"Kaidan was silly and filled with joy and we want him to be remembered properly," his brother Damien wrote in a message. "He was seven years old and had so much love and joy to spread."

As of publication on Tuesday afternoon, more than $6,000 has been raised.

Blessed Ink, a local tattoo shop, held a special fundraiser for Coke to help with funeral expenses, as well. Additionally, a balloon release will be held by Ringgold Elementary School this week, according to KSLA.

“This is just so hard on us because, you know, we loved him," Kaidan’s aunt, Tonie Gibson, said while speaking with CBS affiliate KSLA. "He was a good kid, and he loved playing with his ball."

Related: Georgia Trooper Dies After Being Struck by Car While Investigating Fatal Crash: ‘Our Hearts Are Broken’

This is the fourth fatal crash that Troop G of the LSP has investigated in 2024, according to the agency.

The LSP listed a number of safety measures individuals can take to “greatly reduce the risk of tragic crashes” as warmer months approach, meaning more people — especially children — will be outside.

Drivers are encouraged to walk around their vehicles “and thoroughly check the surrounding area before reversing.” They are also told not to “solely” rely on detection devices, which “may not always be foolproof.”

Related: 12-Year-Old Girl Hit and Killed By Car While Running from Separate Crash

Meanwhile, children are encouraged to “stand to the side of the driveway or sidewalk so they are clearly visible” to drivers who are looking to pull out of a parking space. Extra precautions should be taken “when driving through residential areas,” as well.

Most importantly, the LSP emphasized informing children about “the importance of never playing near or around cars and trucks.”

“By following these safety tips, we can all play a role in preventing tragic crashes and keeping our communities safe,” the LSP said.

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