LEESBURG, Fla. – A 12-year-old boy died after he was struck by an SUV while crossing State Road 44 Tuesday evening, according to the Leesburg Police Department.
Authorities said Tyler Khargie was standing in the center of the road, which is a two-way left turn lane, as he was waiting to cross SR 44 at about 6:48 p.m. when he was struck by an SUV.
Khargie was taken to Leesburg Regional Medical Center, where he died. It's unclear if the driver, 81-year-old Lawrence King, was injured.
Several people witnessed the crash and called 911.
"This kid just got hit by a car, oh my God," one caller said.
Another caller said the child wasn't moving.
Police said that Khargie was not crossing the highway in a crosswalk when he was struck.
On Wednesday night, the boy's mother, Krystal Khargie, told News 6 she wants her son to be rememberd for his bright spirit and his love for animals.
She also said she wants justice for her son, and she wants the driver to be prosecuted.
"His perception of the world was so innocent and good," she said. "He didn’t deserve this, and it could’ve been prevented."
The crash remains under investigation. Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call the Leesburg Police Department Traffic Unit at 352-787-2121.
A GoFundMe has been created to pay for Khargie's funeral expenses.