Tennessee Boy Killed On Fifth Birthday When He Crawled Underneath Van To Get His Ball

A boy, who had just turned 5, was killed on his birthday after he crawled under a van to get a ball he had received as a gift. A vehicle backed over him, according to the Daily Mail.

After spending his birthday at a local picnic spot with his family, Kenneth Vaughn went to his grandmother’s house for the evening. According to Metro police, Kenneth was playing with his ball at 10 p.m. in the 100 block of Fern Avenue on the east side of the city when his ball rolled under a Dodge Caravan. The Tennessee boy crawled under the van to get his ball. Not knowing Kenneth was under the vehicle, the driver backed out and ran over the little boy.

Terry L. Fleming, 53, is a friend of the family who was driving the van. Kenneth’s father took his son to TriStar Skyline Medical Center, according to The Tennnessean, but the youngster was pronounced dead on arrival.

Police were called, but officers said no charges were being brought against Fleming who feels awful about the tragedy.

“The police department’s Youth Services Division is investigating, but cops described the incident as a tragic accident.”

WKRN reported that Kenneth’s family paid tribute to the little boy, saying Kenneth was a happy child who would have entered kindergarten in the fall. Family members said he loved to give hugs and loved his siblings, a younger sister and brother. Kenneth always had a smile on his face. He loved to hold people’s faces and gaze into their eyes “as if he was looking into their souls.”

Since the accident, a GoFundMe page has been set up in memory of Kenneth. One contributor, Lindsey Langley, expressed her thoughts about the tragedy. She talked about the heartache of the parents over the death of their son. Langley also asked for prayers for the family and those who knew Kenneth.

“No parent or family should have to experience such heartache, and our thoughts and prayers are with all those who loved Kenneth. The Vaughn family has been on Katie Hill for many years, and it is the responsibility of the community and the city of Nashville to support them in any way we can during this difficult time.”

The GoFundMe page for Kenneth is also accepting donations to help the Vaughn family with funeral expenses for Kenneth. Click here to donate if you would like to help the Vaughn family.

[Photo via Kenneth Vaughn’s GoFundMe Page]