A tragic incident unfolded in Georgia when a 10-year-old boy, Khaleb Jackson, was fatally struck by a vehicle while crossing the street with his older brother and cousins. The driver did not stop, leaving the young boy near a hospital as his family desperately tried to help him, according to his family and police reports.

In an emotional recount, Khaleb’s mother, Brandi Jackson, expressed her anguish to local ABC station WSB, saying, “His brother and his cousins, they tried, but they’re children. The car hit him and kept going.” The heartbreaking event occurred at the intersection of Riverdale Road and Garden Walk Boulevard in Clayton County on a Sunday night.

The driver, identified as 52-year-old David Blanchard, now faces charges of vehicular homicide and hit-and-run. Khaleb’s family, still in shock, is grappling with the loss. “You see this kind of stuff on TV, but then when it hits your family, you’re like, how can someone hit a child, any person, but especially a child, and just leave?” expressed Khaleb’s aunt, Belinda Pittmon, to local Fox affiliate WAGA.

To honor Khaleb’s memory and support the family in this difficult time, a GoFundMe campaign was initiated. The page poignantly states, “Our sweet boy Khaleb was … trying to get to the bus stop when a car came out of nowhere and struck and killed him.” This heartfelt plea for assistance underscores the community’s support for the grieving family.

A GoFundMe launched by the family says, “Our sweet boy Khaleb was … trying to get to the bus stop when a car came out of nowhere and struck and killed him.”

The family experienced another death earlier this year when Khaleb’s infant sister died of SIDS. Now they are forced to deal with the loss of Khaleb just days after Christmas.

“It’s been a tough year,” the GoFundMe explains. “His mother is devastated and heartbroken.”

Pittmon and Khaleb’s mother described the boy as being their “heart” and someone who was “just so appreciative,” according to the GoFundMe and interviews.

“I ran around Christmas trying to get him everything he wanted,” Pittmon said. “He basically wanted an iPhone. So I got him the iPhone. He called me and said, ‘Aunt Belinda thank you, thank you so much.’”

Khaleb’s mom added, “He would just walk in the room and just randomly start dancing.”

She condemned Blanchard for not stopping to try to bring Khaleb to Southern Regional Hospital, which is reportedly just steps away from where the alleged hit-and-run happened, while his own brother and cousins did their best to try and save him.

“Like you a grown … a grown person,” Jackson said. “How could you be so heartless?”

Blanchard was ordered held without bail this week and is awaiting his next court date.