Parents Charged Following Fatal Crash That Killed 7-Year-Old in Gastonia
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 29, 2025
GASTONIA, N.C. – The Gastonia Police Department has filed criminal charges against the parents of a 7-year-old boy who died after being struck by a vehicle while attempting to cross the road on Tuesday evening. Both parents have been charged with Felony Involuntary Manslaughter, Felony Child Neglect, and Misdemeanor Child Neglect.
On Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at approximately 5:55 p.m., officers responded to a reported traffic collision in the 1000 block of West Hudson Boulevard. Upon arrival, police found that a 7-year-old juvenile male had been struck by a Jeep Cherokee being driven by a 76-year female driver traveling eastbound. The preliminary investigation revealed that the child was attempting to cross the street outside of a crosswalk with another juvenile male, aged 10, when he entered the roadway and was hit.
The child was initially transported to CaroMont Regional Medical Center with life-threatening injuries and was later transferred to Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte. Tragically, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead near 10:00 p.m.
While the Gastonia Police Department offers its deepest sympathies to the family for the heartbreaking loss of their child, the investigation revealed that the children involved were unsupervised at the time the boy stepped into traffic. In such cases, adults must be held accountable for their responsibilities to ensure a safe environment for their children.
At this time, there is no evidence of speeding or wrongdoing on the part of the driver, therefore, no charges have been filed. The driver continues to be cooperative and the incident remains under active investigation by the Gastonia Police Department's Traffic Division.
Media Contact:
Bill McGinty
Public Information/Media Relations
Gastonia Police Department
