4-year-old boy hit, killed by car while walking in crosswalk with his mother

PHOENIX (KTVK/KPHO/Gray News) - Heartbroken members of an Arizona community are remembering a 4-year-old boy who was hit and killed by a car while crossing the street with his mother.

Friends and strangers came together Saturday at a car wash to raise money for the family of 4-year-old Miguel Dominguez, who was fatally struck by a car while crossing the street.

The incident happened just after 8 p.m. last Monday in east Phoenix. Police say the 4-year-old was in a crosswalk just a few steps ahead of his mother when he was struck. His mother was also hit, but she was not hurt.

Miguel’s sudden death has shaken those who knew him. The car wash for his family was held in the parking lot of Magical Star Preschool, where the 4-year-old was a student for the past two years.

“Knowing what happened to him completely broke my heart,” said preschool teacher Jessica Layton. “Knowing what his mom is going through – I have two little girls of my own, so I can just imagine what she’s going through.”

Preschool owner Thomas Frontz says Miguel was a special little boy who had his whole life ahead of him.

“He was just a happy kid... just a joy to be around,” Frontz said. “I drive these streets all the time. I’m the bus driver three days a week, and it’s just a tragedy. I don’t think we can do enough.”

Volunteers who showed up Saturday say their focus is providing support for Miguel’s family and raising enough money to pay for his funeral.

“Every little bit of support helps her [Miguel’s mother], even if it’s just showing up, doing something as little as a car wash. This shows that he was loved, and we support her,” Layton said.

Police say the woman who was driving the vehicle involved remained on the scene, and impairment is not believed to be a factor. The investigation is ongoing.