A heartbroken mother is speaking out after she witnessed a car accident that claimed the life of her 7-year-old son.
"He was a fun-loving person," said Patricia Stone while in tears. "He was always happy."
Stone's son Zahvair Robinson was walking home from school in the Nicetown section of the city with his sisters along the 3600 block of North 15th Street around 4 p.m. Stone says she watched as her daughters crossed the street between two parked cars. Robinson followed them and ran towards his mother when he was suddenly struck by a brown Buick LeSabre that was passing by.
"He was running to me," Stone said. "The car hit him twice and he was stuck under the car."
A witness, who did not want to be identified, told NBC10 he tried to help the young boy.
"I heard the tires screech and heard a little girl scream," he said while fighting back tears. "I came to the corner and I saw the little boy's feet hanging under the car. I went back and grabbed my jack."
Responding medics tried to save the boy but it was too late. Zahvair was pronounced dead at 4:13 p.m.
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Police say the driver is traumatized by the accident but remained cooperative with the investigation. They also don't believe drugs, alcohol or speeding played a role in the crash and charges have not been filed.
"It doesn't look like there was any impairment," said Philadelphia Police Captain John Wilczynski. "It just looks like an unfortunate scenario that happened this afternoon."
Stone believes the driver was distracted during the crash however.
"When he drove down the street he was on the phone," she said.
Police say it's legal to talk on the phone while driving in Philadelphia though it isn't recommended. Stone told NBC10 she and her family want a thorough investigation as they continue to mourn.
"It's devastating," she said. "I don't know what to do without my son."
