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A family in Missouri is grieving the loss of their 4-year-old child, who authorities report was fatally struck by a truck delivering Amazon packages.
On May 4, Tadens Joseph was playing in a grassy section of a public park in Kansas City, Missouri, when he wandered onto the road and was hit by a vehicle, according to a statement from the Kansas City Missouri Police Department shared with Oxygen.
The police department’s preliminary findings reveal that an Amazon delivery truck had just finished dropping off packages in the 1800 block of E. 3rd Terrace. After completing the delivery, the vehicle proceeded to travel west on E. 3rd Terrace toward Woodland Avenue.
The driver initially stopped after the incident but left the scene before the authorities arrived, the statement noted. A family member managed to catch up with the driver at a subsequent stop and informed them of the accident. However, the driver reportedly denied any involvement and left the scene again.
Tragically, the young boy succumbed to his injuries, as confirmed by the police.
Tadens loved pizza and Spider-Man, his family told KCTV5, adding that he had been crossing the road to return home when he was hit.
“Investigators have worked throughout the night and day,” according to a separate press release. “They were able to get in contact with both Amazon, and the 3rd party delivery driving company based locally, both of which were cooperative in the investigation.”
Police identified a subject of interest and took her into custody before releasing her pending further investigation, according to the release.
“This is common in the case of fatal crashes…the prosecutors need the entirety of the investigative findings which can take several weeks to compile,” according to the release. “A subject cannot be held that long without charges.”
Meanwhile, the involved vehicle will remain in police custody for processing.
“Our deepest sympathies are with the child’s family during this incredibly difficult time,” an Amazon spokesperson said in a statement to Oxygen. “We’ll cooperate fully with the Kansas City Police Department in their active investigation and defer to them for additional details.”
Delivery drivers are not Amazon employees, the spokesperson clarified, adding that they work for independent Delivery Service Partners, “which are small businesses that deliver to Amazon customers.”