Yahoo Lifestyle Boy, 14, Dies After Being Hit by Car While Riding Bike to School: ‘His Life Was Taken Far Too Soon’
"It was his dream to come to the United States where he can have a better schooling," the family of Adam Mahamat said
Gofundme (2)
Adam MahamatAdam Mahamat was hit by a SUV on Feb. 27 while riding his bike to his junior high school in Utah and later died
Originally from Sudan, Adam's family arrived in Utah about two years ago after spending over a decade at a refugee camp
“Our hearts are broken over the tragic accident," said Kearns Mayor Kelly Bush in a statement
A family who emigrated from Sudan to Utah is remembering their loved one — a 14-year-old boy who was fatally struck by a SUV while on his bike heading to school last week.
The Unified Police Department (UPD) of Greater Salt Lake said that Adam Mahamat was on his bicycle when he was hit by a Chevrolet Tahoe in the crosswalk on 4140 West, in Kearns, on the morning of Thursday, Feb. 27, Fox affiliate KSTU reported.
CBS affiliate KUTV reported that Adam was listed in critical condition by the time emergency responders arrived at the scene. He was taken to a hospital where he died, according to authorities.
The SUV driver reportedly cooperated with police.
Related: 13-Year-Old Boy Dead After Being Struck by Truck While Riding Bike Home from Convenience Store
In an interview with NBC affiliate KSL, family members said that Adam and his younger brother were on their bikes en route to Kearns Junior High School when the SUV hit Adam.
The boy's younger brother wasn’t injured, but he did witness the incident.
“It’s so sad, he had to watch his brother die,” Mohamat Mahadjir, a cousin of Adam, told KSL.
KUTV later reported that, according to authorities, surveillance footage shows Adam did not stop at the crosswalk before the vehicle struck him.
"The information that we have shows that he [Mahamat] did not stop, he continued on that bicycle right out into traffic,” UPD Kearns Precinct Chief Levi Hughes said, according to KUTV, which added that police were still investigating evidence.
Authorities and media reports initially identified Adam as 12, but police later clarified he was 14, according to KUTV.
Adam’s family told KUTV in an interview that they fled war-torn Sudan and arrived in Utah about two years ago in hopes of building a better life after spending over a decade in a refugee camp.
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"I'm a single mother with eight kids now,” Adam's mother told the outlet via her brother Ahmed Isaak, who translated for her. “My son Adam used to go to school with his younger brother. I fear to send my other son to school. I'm scared that I'm not going to see him back to home again.”
In a GoFundMe established to help Adam’s family pay for his funeral services, the boy was remembered as “incredible” and someone who always helped his siblings.
“He spent over 10 years in a refugee camp, waiting for the chance to come to the United States and build a better future for him and his family,” read the fundraiser’s description. “A dream of becoming a doctor one day so he could help others and especially help his Mother and his eight siblings. With such a promising future his life was taken far too soon…”
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A memorial was created on the site where Adam was hit, KSL reported. There, members of the community paid their respects with flowers and candles.
Kearns Mayor Kelly Bush released a statement, later shared by KSL, about the incident that read: “Our hearts are broken over the tragic accident ... Our thoughts are with everyone who was impacted by this tragedy.”
“I am working closely with local law enforcement as well as the accident reconstruction team during the investigation of this incident," she added.
PEOPLE contacted the Unified Police Department and the GoFundMe organizer for additional information on Wednesday, March 5.
Read the original article on People
