Left inset: David Blanchard (WSB). Right inset: Khaleb Jackson (GoFundMe). Background: The area in Clayton County, Ga., where David Blanchard allegedly hit and killed Khaleb Jackson as he was crossing the street (WAGA).
A tragic incident unfolded in Georgia when a driver struck a 10-year-old boy, Khaleb Jackson, who was crossing the street with his older brother and cousins. The driver did not stop, leaving Khaleb dangerously close to a hospital while his young relatives attempted to help him, according to his family and local authorities.
“His brother and cousins tried to help, but they’re just kids,” Khaleb’s mother, Brandi Jackson, explained to ABC affiliate WSB. “The driver hit him and didn’t stop.”
David Blanchard, 52, now faces charges of vehicular homicide and hit-and-run in connection with Khaleb’s death, which occurred Sunday evening in Clayton County. Khaleb was crossing at the junction of Riverdale Road and Garden Walk Boulevard with his 14-year-old brother and two cousins, as reported by the family and police.
“We see these stories on TV, but when it happens to your own family, you wonder how someone could hit a child and leave them there, not knowing if they’re alive,” shared Khaleb’s aunt, Belinda Pittmon, with Fox affiliate WAGA.
A GoFundMe campaign set up by his family states, “Our beloved Khaleb was on his way to the bus stop when he was suddenly hit and killed by a passing vehicle.”
Adding to their heartache, the family had previously suffered the loss of Khaleb’s infant sister due to SIDS earlier this year. Now, they are grappling with Khaleb’s untimely passing, just after the holiday season.
“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.
