Family IDs 'Smart, Funny' Boy Killed In Morris Co.Crash Just Blocks From His Home

PARSIPPANY, NJ — More than $56,000 has been raised for a Parsippany family, as loved ones mourn the untimely death of an 8-year-old boy struck and killed riding his bicycle.

Officials and family members identified Avyaan Gupta as the child who died on Tuesday, July 9 after he was hit by an SUV along Littleton Road in Parsippany.

Mayor James Barberio and township police have expressed condolences to his family, with the mayor also calling for state and county officials to commit more resources towards pedestrian safety, and reducing speed, on the Parsippany roadways they manage.

Avyaan was several blocks away from home when he was killed, according to an online obituary. More than 1,000 people have donated to a GoFundMe page for the Gupta family, which was started by a Lake Parsippany resident.

"It is hard to fathom a family losing their 8-year-old son," the organizer wrote. "Avyaan was smart, funny and above all, dearly loved by his family."

The obituary states that Avyaan was born in Rajasthan, in northwestern India, before he immigrated permanently to the U.S. in 2020.

His father had moved to Parsippany about five years ago to start a new life for his family, according to the fundraiser.

Avyaan Gupta was a second-grade student at the Intervale School, and is survived by his parents Aakash and Reema (Jain) Gupta as well as his sister Aanya.

Officials said Avyaan was in the area of 189 Littleton Road, when the driver of a 2022 Mazda CX5 hit him at about 5:34 p.m. on Tuesday. First responders pronounced him dead at the scene of the crash.

The family does not have nearby relatives, according to the GoFundMe.

"While there is nothing anyone can do to bring their son back, the community can come together to help up with some near-term challenges," the fundraiser stated.

The Morris County Prosecutor's Office said the crash is still under investigation, and did not have further details to share as of Monday morning.

This is the fourth fatal crash in the township in 2024, and the 11th in Morris County, according to New Jersey State Police statistics and previous Patch reporting.

Services and cremation were held privately last week.

Parsippany Police are urging drivers to remain vigilant and keep to posted speed limits, as they extended their sympathies to the family.

"In light of this tragedy, we want to assure the community that the safety of our residents remains our highest priority," said Chief Richard Pantina in a statement. "The Parsippany Police Department will continue to enforce pedestrian, crosswalk and motor vehicle laws rigorously to help prevent such tragic accidents in the future."

Mayor Barberio also said police will "immediately" ramp up enforcement against drivers "who fail to recognize the importance of pedestrians and bicyclists on our street." Barberio also said he spoke to the township engineering department about prioritizing pedestrian safety in all future and ongoing road projects.