A Worcester, Massachusetts family is grieving the death of their 4-year-old son, who was killed Sunday when he was struck by a car that was pulling out of a parking spot.
The crash was reported around 2:45 p.m. on Laurel Street, according to police.
The driver of the car who struck Jesiah Rivera rushed him and the boy’s father to a nearby hospital. Police also responded to the scene and then to the hospital, where they learned Jesiah had died.
"I miss my grandson," Marisol Almodovan said through tears Monday, "because always he come and see me. When they finish school he come to see me."
Officials said Jesiah was riding his bicycle in the parking lot behind his grandmother's apartment when he was hit. A Nissan Armada was exiting a parking space when it struck the boy.
"It was a family friend who did it and it was on accident and they didn't mean to do it and it sucks because I know he's destroyed too," said Reina Sanchez, Jesiah's mother.
"It's just hurtful to know that he's not going to be here anymore," added Julio Rivera, the boy's father. "It kills me inside and I try to stay strong for my wife and my other son, but it just hurts so much."
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Jesiah's parents said his smile and happiness is what they will forever remember about their son as they live with the pain of going on without him.
"He was just so happy and always told us every single night, 'Good night, Mommy, good night, Daddy. I love you guys,' and that hurts the most because he can't tell us that no more, you know?" his mother said.
No criminal charges or citations had been filed as of Monday morning. The driver of the Nissan has not been publicly identified.
Jesiah's parents said they will hold a candlelight vigil for their son at 6 p.m. Monday.
