6-Year-Old Soccer Player Player's Family Bought Him Goalie Gloves Just Days Before He Was Killed in 'Major Accident'
Raul Chavez, 6, was killed on July 13 in a UTV rollover accident that also left three other children injured, including his 9-year-old brother and 13-year-old brother
The boy, who had dreamed of being a soccer goalie, was a member of the Ennis Soccer Association
A candlelight vigil will be held for Raul on July 21A Texas family and youth soccer community are mourning the loss of a 6-year-old boy who was killed in a UTV rollover accident earlier this week.
'He was gone, way before we got to the hospital,' Ana Juarez, the mother of Raul Chavez, told ABC affiliate WFAA.
The Gainesville Police Department said in a news release that the incident occurred on Sunday, July 13, in the 3100 block of U.S. Highway 82, where officers responded to a report of a "major accident" involving a 4x4 rollover.
The police said four children whose ages ranged from 6 to 13 were riding on a Polaris side-by-side vehicle in a parking lot when the driver lost control, after which the Polaris rolled over and its occupants were ejected.
'When officers arrived, CPR had already started on one of the occupants, who was reported to be 6 years of age,' the news release stated. 'All four children were transported by medical services to the hospital. One child was air lifted to a metroplex hospital, two were treated locally. Despite all efforts, the 6-year-old succumbed to his injuries.'
According to the family, Raul and the three kids — among them his brothers, ages 9 and 13 — were riding on the UTV when it rolled over and pinned Raul underneath.
'It turned on one side, and my baby fell to the side,' Juarez told WFAA. 'It fell on him.'
The outlet also reported that Raul's 9-year-old brother suffered pelvic fractures and bruises on his lungs and liver, adding he was discharged from the hospital on Wednesday, July 16.
Raul was a member of the Ennis Soccer Association, who remembered him as one of their beloved players in a Facebook tribute.
'This is a loss none of us could have prepared for. Raul was more than just a player on the field," the association wrote, noting, "he was a part of our family. A teammate, a brother, a friend. His spirit, kindness, and smile touched everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.'
The statement continued, 'As a community, we stand together in grief, offering strength, comfort, and unwavering support to the Chavez family during this unimaginable time."
Raul's family recently purchased new gear for the child ahead of soccer season.
'We bought him goalie gloves a couple of days before,' Juarez told WFAA.
A GoFundMe has since been created for Raul's family to pay for funeral costs and medical expenses.
'There are no words to describe the depth of this tragedy,' the fundraiser organizer wrote. 'Raul was a bright light — joyful, kind, full of curiosity and love. His goal was to be a soccer goalie and could not wait to make those dreams come true.'
The Ennis Soccer Association announced that a candlelight vigil will be held in Raul's memory on Monday, July 21, at Veterans Park.
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'It's going to be very, very emotional,' said Leo Olmos, Raul's coach, per WFAA. 'I truly am going to miss him.'
The Gainesville Police Department said in its news release that the accident is being investigated. PEOPLE reached out to the GoFundMe organizer for additional information on Friday, July 18.
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