A small child was killed after being hit by a car in Wilmington, Delaware Sunday morning.
At approximately 9:59 a.m. police were called to the 500 block of South Madison Street for a collision involving a car and a pedestrian, the Wilmington Police Department said.
Officials said Monday that, during the morning, "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."
While members of these groups were gathering for a walk, the 3-year-old son of an off-duty Wilmington firgefighter was struck by a vehicle driven by another off-duty firefighter who was attempting to park in order to participate in the event.
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The boy was transported to a nearby hospital where he succumbed to his injuries, according to the police.
Police said the driver of the car stayed at the scene and the incident is under investigation.
On Monday, Mike Purzycki, mayor of Wilmington, shared a statement on the tragedy.
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“I was profoundly saddened to learn of the devastating incident affecting our firefighting family yesterday morning, which resulted in the tragic death of the young son of a member of the Wilmington Fire Department. 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 statement read. "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. May they take 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.”
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