13-year-old boy killed in hit-and-run in Alabama, family says. ‘My child had plans’
A family is mourning a 13-year-old boy fatally struck by a driver in Alabama.
At about 6:45 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, a car sped away from a neighborhood in Birmingham where shots were fired, the Birmingham Police Department told WBRC.
That’s when the car crashed into the teen — later identified as Braylen Hardy — who was riding his ATV, according to police.
Family members told WIAT that Braylen had just finished a group ride when the incident occurred. He was taken to Children’s of Alabama Hospital, the outlet reported.
Vanessa Riggs, Braylen’s mom, told WVTM she had to make the difficult decision Oct. 29 to take the teen off life support after doctors told her his brain wasn’t working.
“I couldn’t let him suffer anymore,” she told the news outlet through teary eyes. “His heart stopped. I just had to give him to God.”
Braylen was described by loved ones as a “source of joy” and “inspiration” to his community, according to a GoFundMe post. Riggs said Braylen loved riding his ATV.
Authorities told WBRC and WVTM that the driver of the car tried to run away but was later arrested a few blocks away.
The driver’s identity has not been released, and the incident is still being investigated, police told the news outlets.
McClatchy News reached out to the Birmingham Police Department on Nov. 1 but did not receive an immediate response.
The family told local news outlets they want justice for the teen.
“Not only did you hit a kid, you have killed my child,” Riggs told WVTM. “Cut my child’s life short at 13. My child had plans.”
This story was originally published November 1, 2024 at 4:50 PM with the headline "13-year-old boy killed in hit-and-run in Alabama, family says. ‘My child had plans’."
