AKRON, Ohio — A 6-year-old boy who was killed in a crash during an Akron funeral procession last week has been identified.
Trevond Walker Jr. died Friday night at Akron Children's Hospital, one day after the Summit County Medical Examiner says he suffered blunt force trauma to the head in the collision on South Arlington Street. His is the second fatality in connection with the incident, as 12-year-old Tymar Allen also passed away within hours of the wreck. Though they were not siblings, both children were related, according to family members.
The Tallmadge City School District confirms Walker was a student at their elementary school. They released the following statement to 3News Monday:
"Tallmadge Elementary School mourns the loss of first-grade student Trevond Walker, who passed away Friday evening due to injuries sustained in a car accident the previous day. We offer our deepest sympathy to Trevond's family and friends, and our focus will be on supporting his classmates and teachers during this difficult time. Counselors will be onsite to support students and staff as they process the emotions involved with such a tragic loss."
According to police, the procession was headed northbound when two cars slammed into each other near 6th Avenue, and both Walker and Allen were either ejected or partially ejected from the Chrysler 200 they were riding in. The Chrysler driver — said to be the mother of one of the boys — was unhurt, while the driver of the Chevrolet Impala that was also involved fled the scene.
"We believe one of the cars may have been operating in some type of reckless fashion," Akron Police Lt. Michael Miller said following the crash. "One of the cars may have tried to make a turn when the collision occurred, and the children were impacted by that."
Shortly after the collision, an altercation between others connected to the procession led to at least one gunshot being fired, and more gunfire was later heard nearby. A 19-year-old man later drove himself to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, but the medical examiner has stressed Trevond Walker Jr. did not suffer any bullet wounds. An official cause of death for Tymar Allen, a one-time Akron Public Schools student, has not been given.
Authorities are still investigating, and no arrests have been made at this time.
