7-year-old boy fatally hit by truck while trying to retrieve ball

RINGGOLD, La. (KSLA/Gray News) - Authorities say a 7-year-old Louisiana boy was killed when he was hit by a truck after crawling underneath it to retrieve a ball.

Louisiana State Police troopers began investigating a single-vehicle crash involving a pedestrian shortly after 11:30 a.m. Saturday in Ringgold. The crash claimed the life of 7-year-old Kaidan Coke, KSLA reports.

Kaidan Coke, 7, died Feb. 24, 2024, when he was struck by a truck while trying to retrieve a... — Kaidan Coke, 7, died Feb. 24, 2024, when he was struck by a truck while trying to retrieve a ball that had rolled under the vehicle in the 1300 block of School Street in Ringgold, La.(Source: Family of the late Kaiden Coke)

The preliminary investigation revealed that the driver of a 2011 Dodge Ram was backed into a parking space in a private parking lot. Kaidan, who was playing with a ball, was inside the same parking lot.

For reasons still under investigation, the 7-year-old lost his ball, and it rolled under the truck. As he went to get the ball, the driver, who was unaware that the boy had crawled under the truck, pulled out of the parking space, police said.

Kaidan was hit by the truck and pronounced dead at the scene by the Bienville Parish Coroner’s Office.

Police say the driver of the truck was not injured. Although impairment is not suspected, routine toxicology samples were collected and will be submitted for analysis.

The incident remains under investigation.

In a statement, police provided a list of safety measures that can help reduce the risk of tragic crashes involving children:

“It is crucial to educate children on the importance of never playing near or around cars and trucks. Always make it a habit to walk around your vehicle and thoroughly check the surrounding area before reversing. Avoid solely relying on detection devices, as they may not always be foolproof. Encourage your children to stand to the side of the driveway or sidewalk so they are clearly visible to you when backing out. Furthermore, when driving through residential areas, it is imperative to be extra cautious and attentive. Keep a watchful eye out for children, reduce your speed, and remain vigilant at all times. By following these safety tips, we can all play a role in preventing tragic crashes and keeping our communities safe.”

Family members and friends held a balloon release Sunday to remember Kaidan

“This is just so hard on us because, you know, we loved him. He was a good kid, and he loved playing with his ball. That’s how this incident happened,” Kaidan’s aunt Tonie Gibson explained.

“He was playing with the ball and the city worker. It was in a city truck. It was for the water department,” she recalled. “The guy, he’s actually a pretty decent guy. He says he works for the city, and what he was doing was he was pulling off. And Kaidan lost his ball. And he didn’t know Kaidan was in between the tires because it has four tires on the back.”

Ringgold Elementary School also plans to remember Kaidan with a balloon release this week.

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