Community calls for justice after 9-year-old Anakin Perez hit, killed by car outside McNair Elementary School on Walton Street
Share this @internewscast.com

CHICAGO (WLS) — On Friday, a grieving family, supported by many, demanded justice after the release of a driver who fatally hit a 9-year-old boy, with no charges filed by Chicago police.

New video showed when it happened, seconds after he left out for school Thursday on the city’s West Side.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

The tragic event occurred around 7:41 a.m. on Thursday near Ronald E. McNair Elementary School, located on the 4800 block of West Walton Street, according to Chicago police reports.

On Friday, the family’s cries echoed around McNair Elementary School for 9-year-old Anakin Perez, who set off for school that morning but never reached his destination.

“It’s only going to grow bigger, because Anakin was bigger than just a few tickets,” aunt Anna Perez said.

“To have his life ended so tragically, it’s a pain unimaginable,” mother Alejandra Gallegos said.

Home surveillance footage captured the boy leaving his home on Thursday morning. As he ventured into the center of Walton Street, a gray car, already in motion, struck him fatally.

“So you mean to tell me you didn’t have three seconds to stop your car immediately?” questioned Gallegos. “You didn’t feel when you hit him? You didn’t notice you were dragging his body 72 feet down the street?”

Initially, the driver was detained with impending charges, said Chicago police. However, the police later informed ABC7 that while the woman received a ticket, she faced no criminal charges.

“They called it an accidental death,” Gallegos said. “Any person with common sense coming down the street is going to look both ways especially in a school zone where there’s kids.”

Balloons and heartfelt messages now decorate the spot where Anakin was hit, right in front of his family’s home that he never returned to.

“He would never leave my side, but my son was taken from me,” Gallegos said.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to support Anakin’s family.

McNair Elementary’s principal said grief counselors were at the school for students and staff.

Chicago police said they’re still investigating the crash.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Several elephants killed in train collision as impact causes multiple coaches to derail

Tragic Train Collision Claims Elephant Lives and Derails Multiple Coaches: Urgent Call for Wildlife Safety Measures

In a tragic incident early Saturday, a high-speed passenger train struck a…
US forces stop 2nd merchant vessel off coast of Venezuela, American officials say; President Trump ramps up pressure on Maduro

US Forces Intercept Second Merchant Vessel Near Venezuelan Coast, Officials Report; President Trump Intensifies Pressure on Maduro

In a significant development off the coast of Venezuela, U.S. forces intercepted…
AG Pam Bondi has 'conflict of interest' in seeking death penalty against Luigi Mangione, defense says

Conflict of Interest: AG Pam Bondi’s Controversial Pursuit of the Death Penalty in Luigi Mangione Case

NEW YORK — In a recent court submission, attorneys representing Luigi Mangione…
Blue Origin safely launches wheelchair user to space and back

Historic Blue Origin Mission: First Wheelchair User Successfully Travels to Space and Returns

In a remarkable achievement for space travel and inclusivity, Blue Origin, led…
On Maduro’s ‘terror island,’ Hezbollah operatives move in as tourists drift out

Hezbollah Presence Grows on Venezuela’s ‘Terror Island’ as Tourism Declines Under Maduro’s Regime

From afar, Margarita Island appears to be the quintessential Caribbean paradise, with…
US envoy Witkoff says high-level Miami talks focused on 'unified Gazan authority' as Israel ceasefire advances

US Envoy Witkoff Highlights Miami Discussions on Establishing a ‘Unified Gazan Authority’ Amid Progress in Israel Ceasefire

Efforts to advance the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire plan are…
LA deputies caught on camera racing into foggy ocean to rescue disoriented paragliders

Los Angeles Deputies Heroically Dive into Foggy Waters to Rescue Stranded Paragliders

Two Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies heroically saved two paragliders from a…
Claudio Manuel Neves-Valente identified as Brown University and MIT shooting suspect, found dead

Brown and MIT Shootings Raise Concerns: Are Elite Universities Equipped to Handle Targeted Violence?

Two fatal shootings at prestigious U.S. universities, situated just 50 miles apart,…
State Attorney's Office to seek death penalty for suspect in deadly Putnam County stabbing

Putnam County Stabbing Case: State Attorney Pursues Death Penalty for Suspect

The harrowing nature of a recent crime in Putnam County, Florida, has…
Parent responsible for lockouts at four Duval schools arrested in Texas, police say

Texas Arrest of Parent Linked to Lockouts at Four Duval Schools, Police Report

A chilling threat made by a parent led to heightened security at…
Gurnee Woodland Elementary School teacher Todd Fowler charged with disseminating child pornography, Lake County Sheriff says

Attempted Child Luring in South Austin: Chicago Police Investigate Suspicious Van Incident on West Adams Street

CHICAGO (WLS) — An alert has been released by Chicago police regarding…
Gun jams as shoplifting suspect tries to shoot Ohio police officer at point-blank range in wild bodycam video

Ohio Shoplifting Suspect’s Gun Malfunction Saves Officer in Intense Bodycam Footage

A heart-stopping video has emerged, capturing the tense moment when a shoplifting…