6-year-old boy struck and killed walking to school bus stop, Illinois cops say
A 6-year-old boy in Illinois was still within view of his home when he was struck and killed by a car while crossing the street to his school bus stop, according to police.
Decatur police responded to the call around 7:20 a.m. April 10 about a pedestrian who was struck and lying in the road, according to a news release. Officers learned a blue 2024 Nissan Rogue had struck him while he was crossing the street.
The 41-year-old driver was uninjured, while the pedestrian died after being rushed to the hospital, police said.
“There were no indications the driver of the Nissan was under the influence,” the news release said.
Police continued to investigate the accident late Thursday morning, according to a news release.
The county coroner identified the child who was struck as 6-year-old Noah Michael Edwards, according to WICS.
WCIA reported the last things Noah did in life: get ready for pajama day at school, don his dinosaur backpack and light-up sneakers and say goodbye to his mother before heading out to his bus stop.
His mother, Rekyia Smith, told WCIA that the morning of the accident she ”heard a loud noise” and looked outsideto see her son lying in the road. She said she ”thought he would wake up” once he was rushed to the hospital, and the loss still “doesn’t feel real.”
“He was basically a pro at checking both ways for the cars,” she said. “I don’t know what happened today.”
Decatur Public Schools, where Edwards was a student, issued a statement about the death to WAND.
“We are deeply saddened to learn the student passed away,” the statement read. “Our thoughts are with the student’s family, friends, and all those affected by this heartbreaking loss. We are offering support to the family, students, and staff during this difficult time.”
Decatur is a 40-mile drive east of Springfield.
According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, pedestrians made up the majority of deaths in fatal crashes from 2020 to 2024.
This story was originally published April 11, 2025 at 11:20 AM with the headline "6-year-old boy struck and killed walking to school bus stop, Illinois cops say."
