Phoenix Family Whose Toddler Killed By Father's Truck Seeks Help

PHOENIX, AZ – It happened in an instant. Richard Hamilton had been playing with his 21-month-old son, Samuel, in front of their home on Friday night. Richard went to move his truck.

Moments later someone is yelling, "Call 911!"

Richard had not noticed that his son had followed him. As he moved his truck, he ran over Samuel.

The young boy was rushed to the hospital and, two hours later, died in the arms of his mother, Chelsea. (Get Phoenix Patch's daily newsletter and real-time news alerts. Or, find your local Patch here and subscribe).

That night, Richard was charged with negligent homicide and DUI.

Friends and family want to help Chelsea. They've set up a fundraising page to help her because "the family struggles from paycheck to paycheck as so many do today.

"They are devastated by his passing."

The money will go to help pay for services, funeral arrangements, and to give Chelsea time to "heal and grieve," process and try to recover from what has happened.

As of Monday afternoon, they had raised more than $4,500 of their $8,000 goal.

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Photos via GoFundMe.