Photos: School, Community Mourn 7-Year-Old's Death

Stuffed animals, flowers and a cross are bunched around a stop sign on the corner where 7-year-old Joshua Brown was hit by a truck and killed Wednesday.

Brown, a first-grader at Watkins-Nance Elementary, was hit when he ran into the road near the intersection of Barhamville Road and Jaggers Plaza at the front of the school, Richland County Coroner Gary Watts said. He later died at the hospital from multiple trauma. 

District officials told WLTX that Brown was supposed to be behind the school Wednesday where his daycare van usually picks him up. 

According to WIS, Brown had a substitute teacher Wednesday who was not aware of the after-school dismissal procedure.

The school's flag was at half staff Thursday in honor of Brown.

Patch was not allowed to speak to teachers at Watkins-Nance Thursday.

Midlands residents sent their condolences to the family through social media.

"Really breaks my heart to hear about these young deaths lately," Elaina wrote it a tweet. "Prayers for the family and friends of Joshua Brown."

"Praying for the family of Joshua Brown who was hit and killed by a truck yesterday," Kia Muse wrote.

There was no sign that the truck that struck Brown was speeding, according to a report in The State. The boy was last seen standing with a group of students on the sidewalk. 

The Columbia Police Department is investigating the incident.

See also: