EDITOR’S NOTE: New information from the coroner has been provided regarding the age of the deceased. This is reflected below.
INDIANAPOLIS — A child has died after police say he was hit by a vehicle while waiting on a school bus Friday morning on the east side of Indianapolis in what officers described as a hit and run .
IMPD East District officers were dispatched at around 7.30am on Friday to the 2100 block of Yorkshire Court near 21st Street and Post Road to a report of a pedestrian being hit.
The Marion County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as 7-year-old Sevion Sanford.
Police said they believe the young victim was standing at the Warren Harbor Apartments bus stop, with other children, when, for some unknown reason, Sanford ran across the street.
Dozens of friends and family gathered Friday along 21st Street to mourn the death. Among the mourners was Sanford’s mother, who family members said came in from the hospital after giving birth to the victim’s baby brother earlier this week.
A small memorial was erected at the scene in honor of the victim.
Police said at least two vehicles hit the boy. The first vehicle, a light colored sedan, left the scene. The driver of the second vehicle remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. Police believe the child died after being struck by the second vehicle.
The death is being investigated as a hit and run, police said.
“Today’s tragedy touches a lot of people,” said IMPD Commander Richard Riddle. “It’s a tragic set of circumstances that unfolded across the city today.”
Just half an hour later, IMPD was called to another scene on Rockville Road following a two-car crash that killed a 15-year-old student at George Washington High School. Three other victims were taken to hospital with injuries.
Police are still investigating what led to this accident, but have shared a message for drivers around the world.
“We encourage the driver to slow down and pay attention to their surroundings,” Riddle said. “The fact that daylight saving time has just happened and we have kids at bus stops when it’s dark outside reinforces our call for people to slow down, be careful and keep their eyes peeled.”
Warren Township officials confirmed the 7-year-old victim was a second-grade student at Lakeside Elementary and released the following statement:
“This morning, Friday, March 18, a Lakeside Elementary student was struck by a vehicle while waiting at the bus stop, resulting in his death. We are working closely with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department as additional details develop.
This is a great loss for the entire family at Warren Township School, and our heartfelt condolences go out to this child’s family. The district is currently focused on providing needed additional support and resources to our students and staff. Additional guidance counselors will be at Lakeside Elementary to help students, staff and families deal with this tragic loss.
It is one of several fatal traffic incidents in the FOX59 viewing area Friday morning. One person was killed in an accident on Keystone Parkway in Carmel and a 15-year-old was killed on Rockville Road in an accident.
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