12-Year-Old Boy Killed in Dirt Bike Cash While Making Routine Gas Run

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Mike Malanda, 12, has died after he was involved in a crash while riding a dirt bike, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department
Police said "a damaged dirt bike and a damaged Ford truck" were found at the scene of the crash, where the boy died
The boy's mom told a local news outlet that her son was "out to get a little bit of gas" when the crash occurredA 12-year-old boy has died after he was involved in a dirt bike accident in North Carolina.
The fatal crash 'occurred at the intersection of Oakdale Road at Auten Road in the North Division' around 1 p.m. local time on Sunday, June 8, according to a news release from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD).
Police said responding officers found Mike Malanda 'unresponsive' in the roadway, as well as 'a damaged dirt bike and a damaged Ford truck.' They added that 'the preliminary investigation indicates that Malanda was riding a dirt bike on the road when he was struck by the Ford truck.'
Malanda was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. An investigation into the crash is ongoing.
Malanda's friends and family say the boy was riding to a nearby gas station to get fuel for his dirt bike when the crash occurred, according to The Charlotte Observer. They said the boy did this routinely on Sundays for years.
'He just went out to get a little bit of gas so he could be able to go do something that he loved,' said his aunt, Laure Makiona. 'Never did we think we wouldn't get to see him anymore.'
The child's father, also named Mike Malanda, said of his son, nicknamed 'Mikey,' had 'dreamed' of having a motorcycle since he was 2 years old and 'loved riding his bicycle and doing tricks.'
Malanda was a rising 7th grade student at Lake Norman Charter School in Huntersville, according to a Facebook post shared by the school.
'Affectionately known as 'Big Mike' he will be remembered by his classmates, friends and teachers for his larger than life personality, playful nature and kind soul,' school officials said. 'The LNC community joins Mike's family in grieving this profound loss.'
Counseling has been made available at the school in wake of the tragedy, they added.
Malanda was planning to join his school's lacrosse team in the fall, according to the Observer.
Teachers told the outlet that Malanda had an 'infectious' laugh and had a big heart. Principal Nick Carlascio described him as a 'perfect mentor' while working with his sixth grade class's kindergarten buddies. 'Looking back, I noticed that he was hugging somebody in every single picture I have of him,' said Emily Kessler, Mikey's kindergarten teacher.
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Richard Flood, who organized a monthly ride known as 'The Last Sunday,' told the Observer that more than 50 people gathered near the site of the crash for a candlelight vigil after the fatal crash. He said he is also planning a memorial ride later in June.
'No matter how hard it may seem or how hard he was struggling, Mikey always kept pushing,' Flood, 24, told the outlet. 'Mikey was a very strong soul.'
Anyone who witnessed the crash, or anyone with information regarding the crash are asked to contact Detective Kupfer at [phone], extension 1, or leave anonymous information through Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or Charlotte Crime Stoppers.
It is illegal to operate a dirt bike on a public roadway in North Carolina, according to CBS affiliate WBTV and NBC affiliate WRAL-TV.
Read the original article on People