HAMPTON, Va. — Hampton police are investigating the death of an 8-year-old.
Hampton Police were called out to Golden Gate Drive in the Bridgeport Apartments for a "possible traffic accident" Tuesday evening. Arriving officers found an 8-year-old boy unresponsive on the road.
Police say they transported the boy to a local hospital on the Nightingale Regional Air Ambulance to be treated for life threatening injuries.
The boy died on Oct. 4, according to the HPD.
Hampton Police say the boy was riding in a car driven by an 18-year-old Newport News woman. During the drive, police say the boy climbed out the window of the car and onto the roof, then fell off.
Neighbors in the area say they are are surprised to learn about the tragedy.
"I’m still shocked. The situation itself is just sad," Chris Brown, a father in the neighborhood, said.
Brown said his son was good friends with the 8-year-old who died.
"He played with him out here," Brown said. "All the kids played together. He stayed right here in this area."
One boy who did not want to show his face said he was friends with the 8-year old and was standing in front of his apartment when he witnessed the tragedy.
"I saw the car driving pass," the young boy said. "Once the car accelerated, he flipped back down onto the concrete. His head was bleeding and all the ambulances and fire trucks were here. Eventually, he was flown out of here."
The young boy says he doesn’t know what prompted 8-year-old to get on the roof of the car, but the boy’s family is in his prayers.
"I heard at first he was dancing on the car thinking it was fun," the boy said. "It’s sad. I’m still surprised at what happened. I wasn’t expecting him to do something like that."
Brown says this is a learning lesson for parents to talk to their children.
"The lesson to be learned is check on kids and talk to them," Brown said. "Make sure you check on the things they’re into whether it’s social media or TikTok or foolishness. Make sure they’re not doing any stupid challenges."
At this point, Police have not charged the 18-year-old driver of the car the boy fell from. Police have not released the driver’s relationship to the 8-year-old.
