Arlington

2-year-old boy dies after he’s hit by pickup truck outside Arlington apartment

A 2-year-old boy was killed when he got out of his apartment and was hit by a pickup truck near the entrance to the complex, according to Arlington police.
A 2-year-old boy was killed when he got out of his apartment and was hit by a pickup truck near the entrance to the complex, according to Arlington police. Getty Images/iStockphoto

A 2-year-old boy was killed when he got out of his apartment and was hit by a pickup truck near the entrance to the complex, according to Arlington police.

Police are investigating the accident, which was reported about 8:30 p.m. Oct. 7 at apartments in the 800 block of North Center Street.

The toddler, Ethan Rodriguez, was found in the parking lot and taken to Arlington Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead about 9 p.m., according to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office.

The child’s family was outside looking for him when neighbors found his body.

The driver of the pickup truck told police that he thought he hit something and stopped to check what it was but couldn’t see anything in the dark, so he parked his vehicle.

Police said the driver is cooperating with the investigation. No charges have been filed.

A family member started a GoFundMe to raise money for funeral expenses. “Ethan brought so much love and light into our lives,” his cousin Alexa Bardales wrote. “We will forever cherish the memories we made with him.”

This story was originally published October 9, 2024 at 8:07 AM.

Amy McDaniel
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Amy McDaniel edits stories about criminal justice, breaking news and education for the Star-Telegram.
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