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.
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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.
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