DALLAS — A 9-year-old boy has died after he was hit by a truck while riding an electric scooter, according to Dallas police.
The Dallas Police Department (DPD) confirmed to WFAA that the boy was hit at approximately 5:40 p.m. on Tuesday, March 12, near the intersection of Materhorn Drive and San Paula Avenue.
The boy, identified by his family as Max Hutchins, was transported to a local hospital in critical condition, DPD said. The boy died from his injuries on Friday, March 15, DPD told WFAA.
Hutchins had just celebrated his 9th birthday in February. He was a 3rd grader at P.M. Akin Elementary in Wylie. His grandfather, James Abercrombie, told WFAA that his grandson loved football and being with his family.
“He was always happy, just an amazing little boy. He could make anybody smile,” said Abercrombie.
The family says the tragic accident caused Max to suffer a traumatic head injury.
He and his family were on his way to his sister Hailey’s soccer game. They stopped by his grandmother’s house in East Dallas. Max wanted to ride his electric scooter.
“And Max just being a little boy, saw the scooter and wanted to get on it and said he wanted to ride it for 5 minutes," James said.
He was riding his electric scooter near the intersection of Materhorn Drive and San Paula Avenue when police say he was struck by the pickup truck. The 9-year-old’s grandmother told WFAA the driver of the truck claims he didn’t know what happened.
“The detective told me he looked in the rearview mirror, and he thought it was a toy,” said Kimberly Abercrombie.
Max’s mother, a trained medical assistant, rushed to her son’s side. James Abercrombie remembers how his daughter tried to save him, “she performed CPR and got his pulse back and kept him in a safe place until the paramedics arrived.”
The young boy was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. On Friday, doctors pronounced him brain dead.
“It's absolutely devastating,” said James.
His family chose to keep Max on life support to protect his organs so they could be donated to save another life. It’s something his older sister knows he would have wanted.
“He was the type of kid that if you knew him or if anything, he just made an impression on you,” said Hailey Fincher.
On Saturday, signs warning drivers to watch out for children were added to the intersection where the accident happened. Meanwhile, those close to Max are missing his smile, and remembering him with love.
“We all pray, and we know he's somewhere having fun, and he's at peace…just try to keep them close, and don't take anything for granted. They're here one second and gone the next,” a remorseful Abercrombie said while fighting back tears.
Dallas Police said no charges have been filed, and the investigation is ongoing.
The family of Max Hutchins has set up a GoFundMe to help with medical and funeral expenses.
Police said no charges have been filed, and the investigation is ongoing.
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