A 5-year-old boy was killed while riding his bike Thursday night in north Lakeland.
- Boy, 5, struck and killed by vehicle
- Boy rode bike into path of truck, authorities said
- Austin Crawford family fundraising site
According to the Polk County Sheriff's Office, the boy was struck by a pickup truck in the 1100 block of Saddlewood Boulevard.
Deputies said Austin Crawford was riding bikes in a neighbor's driveway with his 8-year-old sister when he rode into the path of a truck.
Austin's mother, Jennifer Crawford, said she was outside with her children, riding with them.
"We were all outside, and I was showing him how I could still ride a bike, so I got on his sister's bike and I was racing him and I was showing him I could go with no hands,” said Crawford.
She then went inside her house next door to use the restroom. The crash occurred while she was inside.
"No mom should ever bury her child,” Crawford said, in between tears. "He's a sweet boy. He loved me so much. He always looked out for his sisters."
Crawford said her son knew better than to ride his bike in the road. That's why this is so hard to understand.
"He was always so careful," said Crawford. "If he saw a car, he pulled off to the side and waited until they went, and he'd go. He knows to only go to the two neighbors houses, and turn around and go right back."
Crawford's fiancé and neighbor Phillip Dagan performed CPR on Austin, but it wasn’t enough. He died in the hospital.
"It’s heartbreaking," said Dagan. "I can’t imagine what the family is going through, Everybody should be scared that this could happen to your kids. I’ve complained several times, trying to get them them to put speed bumps out here and got nowhere."
An investigation is ongoing but right now the sheriff's office is calling the crash a tragic accident.
The Polk County School Board also released a statement:
"We are stunned and deeply saddened by the tragic news of Austin Crawford’s passing," the statement read. "He will be greatly missed by the students and staff at Socrum Elementary; his family is in our thoughts during this difficult time. Counselors are available at the school to provide support."
Counselors were at the school to provide support. To help with the grieving process, the counselors helped Austin’s kindergarten class make cards to give to his family.