WADSWORTH, Ohio — An investigation is underway after a 13-year-old boy was killed in a crash involving a bicycle and a van in Wadsworth.
According to a release from the Wadsworth Police Department, the incident happened around 2:30 p.m. Police received a report about a motor vehicle crash involving a van and a bicyclist on Silvercreek Road near Longbrook Drive.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol says the 13-year-old boy was riding his bicycle on the sidewalk on Longbrook. A Ford Transit van driven by a Parma woman was headed westbound on Longbrook. Troopers say the bicycle did not stop at the intersection of Silvercreek and Longbrook. The van made a left turn and struck the boy.
The 13-year-old boy, identified by Wadsworth City Schools as James Kennedy, was pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported in the crash, which is being investigated by the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
James Kennedy was a 7th grade student at Wadsworth Middle School.
Wadsworth City Schools released the following statement to 3News:
"We are heartbroken to announce the death of James Kennedy, one of our students at Wadsworth Middle School. We received notice that he died in a tragic accident. The family is requesting privacy during this difficult time. Our Wadsworth Crisis Response Team will have trained crisis counselors available to meet with students and staff, beginning tonight (Friday) from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Wadsworth Middle School, located in the Media Center.
"Please contact your child's school office on Monday if you feel he/she is in need of additional assistance; we have a list of additional school and community mental health resources available. We will continue to provide crisis counselors for students on Monday and beyond, if necessary. Our thoughts and support are with the Kennedy family, friends, and the entire Wadsworth community.
"If you or your student needs immediate crisis/mental health assistance, please contact Alternative Paths/Medina County Crisis Line at 330-725-9195."
A GoFundMe page has been launched to help the family with expenses. Anyone interested in donating can click HERE.
This is a developing story. Stay with 3News for more details as they become available.
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