8-Year-Old Boy Struck and Killed by Garbage Truck in Missouri

Stock photo of police tape. (Carl Ballou/Shutterstock)

A family mourns the death an 8-year-old boy who was struck by a garbage truck in front of his grandparents’ home on Friday, Dec. 8.

The incident took place in Kansas City, Missouri, when Dra'Viontay Baker and a friend were playing with a toy wagon on the street around 3:30 p.m, ABC6 reports.

According to NBC affiliate KSHB, the impact sent the boy flying underneath the truck outside E. 100th Street and Drury Ave,.

The boy was rushed to the hospital where he later died from his injuries.

According to ABC6, his friend—who was not named—suffered minor injuries and is expected to survive.

“When I first moved here two years ago, he was the first one to run up to me with a big smile and welcome me into the neighborhood,” neighbor Monica Thomas said to FOX4KC of Dra'Viontay. “He would play with my grandkids, my son, and I loved to give him candy.”

The neighbor said the boy loved to play outside with his red wagon.

“He loved those wheels,“ Thomas told FOX4KC. ”He and another little friend of his were always together.”

At the time, Dra'Viontay’s nine-year-old friend had been yelling to alert the driver to the impact.

“He started yelling and alerted the driver to let him know something was wrong,“ KC Police Sgt. Bill Mahoney told FOX4KC. ”The driver stopped, and only then he actually noticed [sic] the child was underneath his truck.”

“He was a great son and my oldest of six,” Dra'Viontay’s father told FOX4KC.

Their neighbor said her heart goes out to the family.

“I am so sorry for their loss, and I can’t even imagine losing a child,” she said. “We will be there for the family, and I’m really gonna miss Tay.”

After questioning the driver, who remains unnamed as of writing, investigators determined that he was not under the influence when he struck the boy.

Authorities did not reveal if the driver will be facing any charges as of writing on Dec. 10.

Another resident on the same street, 41-year-old Clarence Hickman told ABC6 that he has never seen such an incident before.

“We have some very safe drivers that come around and pick up our trash,” Hickman said, “and I’m sure he’s devastated about what happened.”

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From NTD.tv