Firefighter's 3-Year-Old Son Dies After Being Struck by Off-Duty Firefighter’s Car at Memorial

The Wilmington Fire Department "once again found itself heartbroken and mourning a life taken much too soon," said Mayor Mike Purzycki

The 3-year-old son of a Delaware firefighter died Sunday after being hit by a car before a memorial walk in honor of three firefighters killed in a 2016 fire, officials said.

According to the Wilmington Police Department, police were dispatched to the 500 block of South Madison Street just before 10 a.m. local time about the crash.

"A group of off duty Wilmington firefighters, family members and friends were gathering for a memorial walk in remembrance of three City firefighters killed in the line of duty at a structure fire in Canby Park on the same day in 2016," Wilmington Fire Department spokesman Capt. Matthew Marsella said in a news release obtained by PEOPLE.

"While members were gathering for the memorial walk, an off duty firefighter's child was struck by a vehicle," Marsella added, noting that the car that "struck the child was driven by another off-duty firefighter who was attempting to park and participate in the memorial event."

Related: 5-Month-Old Daughter of New York City Firefighter Dies from Coronavirus: She 'Was the Boss'

The toddler, who was not identified, was taken to the hospital in critical condition and later died, police said.

According to police, the car remained at the scene. Additionally, neither the driver nor the boy's father have not been identified at this time.

Related: 'Incredible' Okla. Firefighter and Dad Who Survived Stage 4 Cancer Dies in Rock Climbing Accident

In a statement on Monday, Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki said that he was "profoundly saddened" by the incident on "an already somber day marking the seventh anniversary of the loss of three City heroes – Lt. Jerry Fickes, Capt. Chris Leach, and Lt. Ardythe Hope."

"The WFD once again found itself heartbroken and mourning a life taken much too soon," the mayor added.

Related: Firefighter's 3 Kids Who Died After Fire at Home Were 'Deeply Loved,' Says Grandmother: 'Gone Too Soon'

"There is, of course, no greater pain than that of a family dealing with the death of a child, and I join the entire City of Wilmington in extending my deepest condolences to the family as they grapple with this agonizing loss," his statement continued.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Purzycki said he hopes that the child's family takes "some solace in knowing that the hearts, love, and prayers of our City are with them and the entire Department during this incredibly difficult time.”

The investigation into the fatal crash is still ongoing, according to police. Anyone with information is asked to call the department.

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.