CINCINNATI — An 8-year-old boy has died after getting hit by a car in Bond Hill last weekend, according to the Hamilton County Coroner's Office.
Deontez Hardy was hit around 2 p.m. Sunday on Laidlaw Avenue while crossing the street, police said. First responders took Hardy to Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center where he was listed in critical condition. He died overnight Tuesday into Wednesday.
While Hardy's family said they are heartbroken, they are focusing on all of the great memories they shared with a child who had a passion for loving others.
"I know that we are all here on this Earth for a purpose and sometimes it's long, sometimes it's short," his cousin Sparkle Hope-Rush said. "He was just your typical kid, but the difference with Deontez — I'm not going to call him Deontez 'cause we go by 'Tink' as his nickname — and that kind of speaks to his character as well. Tink was (the) type of kid who loved everyone. ... He was here to teach us this Earth how to love and be peaceful."
Neighbor Yvonne Pugh has lived on the street for more than three decades. She said she worries about crossing the street.
"Right after I heard the crash, I came out and looked out automatically and a baby was in the street and he wasn't moving," Pugh said. "I think they need speed bumps to slow everybody down because this is a busy, busy street."
Bond Hill Community Council Safety Chair Charles Holmes said pedestrian safety is a big concern for residents.
"Pedestrians are getting hit a lot more than we’ve ever seen before," he said.
Holmes is working with the city to improve safety in the area.
"We are working with the city to try and implement some traffic safety procedures here so far as maybe putting in audible traffic lights, more visible signs for the area especially, we have a school just on the other side here," Holmes said.
Council president Jacqueline Edmerson said the community is grieving with the family.
"Eight years old — that's a baby," Edmerson said. "There will be a time to figure out what happened but right now the focus is the family."
Hope-Rush said she and the family are devastated by the death, "but I have a sense of peace in knowing that Tink is going on home with the Lord. He's going to watch over us as a family."
The driver of the vehicle who hit the boy was uninjured. Hope-Rush said the family forgives the driver.
Hardy's family will be hosting a vigil Friday at 6:30 p.m. at the intersection of Laidlaw and Cornith Ave., where he was hit.
CPD's Traffic Unit is investigating. Police say that excessive speed and impairment do not appear to be factors in the crash.
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