In a tragic incident in Gastonia, North Carolina, Legend Jenkins, a 7-year-old boy, was killed after being struck by a Jeep while walking home from a grocery store on May 27.
The accident occurred as Legend and his 10-year-old brother were crossing a four-lane road near a crosswalk. Despite the driver’s involvement in the crash, the parents of the deceased child have been charged with involuntary manslaughter, though the driver has not been arrested.
The Incident
Legend and his brother had been at home with their mother, Jessica Ivey, before deciding to walk to a Food Lion store, just two blocks from their residence, to meet their father, Samuele Jenkins.
The mother agreed to let them go without adult supervision. While crossing the road, Legend stepped into traffic, and his older brother tried to stop him but was unsuccessful. According to reports, the brother had been on the phone with their father at the time of the incident.
“I heard my oldest son yell, ‘Legend, no!’ so I hung up and ran. I just ran to find them,” Samuele Jenkins said in an interview with WSOC-TV, describing the devastating moment he learned of his son’s death.
Charges Against the Parents
Two days after the accident, Jessica Ivey and Samuele Jenkins were arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection to their son’s death. They are currently being held on a $1.5 million bond. The charges stem from the parents’ decision to allow the children to walk alone to the store, leading to the tragic incident.
The Driver’s Involvement
The driver of the vehicle, a 76-year-old man, has not been charged with any crime. According to the Gastonia Police Department, there was no evidence of speeding or wrongdoing on the driver’s part. The driver has cooperated with authorities, and the incident remains under investigation by the Traffic Division of the police department.
“There is no evidence of speeding or wrongdoing on the part of the driver, therefore no charges have been filed,” the Gastonia Police said in a statement. The investigation is ongoing, but at this time, the driver is not facing criminal charges.
Community and Legal Reactions
The case has sparked debate in the community regarding the responsibilities of parents and drivers. While the charges against the parents are controversial, some believe that the parents’ decision to allow their young children to walk without adult supervision may have contributed to the tragic accident.
Others have questioned whether the driver could have done more to avoid the collision, though the police statement indicated that there was no evidence of criminal behavior.
The tragic death of Legend Jenkins serves as a painful reminder of the importance of road safety, especially for children crossing busy streets. As the investigation continues, the community is left to grapple with the emotional impact of the incident.