Gabriel Oliver, who was home schooled, was hit around 3:40 p.m. in the 6000 block of Ballentine Pike.
Madison Haggy, 23, of South Charleston, was struck by a car on Aug. 27 in Madison Twp. while she was out walking her dogs near her home, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Although Gabriel was homeschooled, he lived within the Northwestern Local School District, which had grief counselors available to students Friday.
The district superintendent called the accident heartbreaking.
“The young boy was a homeschooler and was never enrolled at Northwestern Local Schools. However, the family members are part of our community and our thoughts and prayers go out to them,” Superintendent Jesse Steiner said Friday. “We are not sure how much interaction the boy had with our students, but we are prepared to help any students who may be struggling with his death.”
Gabriel went across the rural road on Thursday to get the mail and was hit as he returned home, according to Lt. Brian Aller, commander of the Springfield Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol. The child was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer immediately stopped following the crash.
“There were signs of evasive action at the scene of the crash and (the driver) is fully cooperating with law enforcement,” Aller said.
The Clark County Sheriff’s Office, German Twp. Police Department and German Twp. Fire and EMS all responded to the scene.
The incident remains under investigation and no additional details were provided.
This is the 11th fatal crash this year in Clark County.
“All motorists are encouraged to be vigilant for others sharing the roadways in motor vehicles and on foot. This weekend is the last summer holiday of the season, please buckle up and eliminate distractions while you travel,” Aller said.
The crash involving Haggy occurred in the 6700 block of Dolly Varden Road in Madison Twp.
She was found lying on the side of the road by a “good Samaritan” who rendered first aid until responders could arrive, but shortly after she and her unborn child were pronounced dead at the scene, highway patrol said.
The driver of the vehicle that struck Haggy did not stop immediately but continued driving before returning to the scene shortly after the crash happened, and is cooperating with law enforcement, OSHP said.
Excessive speed and driver impairment are not suspected, OSHP said, but driver distraction remains under investigation.
OSHP has launched a distracted driving safety corridor initative on Interstate 70 between milepost 44 and milepost 55 in Clark County in an effort to reduce crashes.
The area is designated as a distracted driving safety corridor where motorists will see increased enforcement of troopers within the area through Sept. 30.
There have been five crashes related to distracted driving within that section of I-70 this year. There were 13,532 crashes involving distracted driving last year, which includes 48 deaths and 7,200 injuries.
“The dangers of distracted driving are apparent to everyone, but motorists still choose to participate in this dangerous behavior,” said Aller. “The purpose of establishing this corridor is to bring further awareness and education to the problem of distracted driving.”
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