ORLANDO, Fla. – A 7-year-old autistic boy who ran into an Orlando street was struck, run over and killed by two cars in a crash that was initially believed to be a hit-and-run.
Taariq Cross, of Orlando, was killed in the crash, which occurred about 10:15 p.m. Wednesday at Silver Star Road and Orlando Drive West.
FHP troopers said Taariq was running from a nearby apartment complex when he was hit. He was not in a crosswalk, and it's not known why he was running across the street, troopers said.
Taariq was struck by one vehicle and then run over by another car, according to troopers. The FHP initially said another car hit the boy, but the driver didn't stop. Later Thursday, however, troopers said an investigation determined the boy was only struck by two cars and the case is not a hit-and-run.
Taariq was taken to Arnold Palmer, where he died.
The Florida Department of Children and Families held a shelter hearing for Taariq's siblings -- ages 2 and 5 -- Thursday morning and placed them with their grandmother.
It is not yet known where the mother was at the time of the accident, who previously had complaints against her for not supervising her children at a swimming pool. Investigators were at the home less than a week ago.
Watch Local 6 for more on this story.