A Lowndes County family is mourning the death of an eight-year-old boy.
Blake Lee Terrell formerly of Caledonia, died Tuesday night after being hit by a car in Biloxi.
Wanda Baldwin, the child’s grandmother, said the young boy was attending “Cruisin’ the Coast” — a vintage car show — with his mother, brother and other grandmother moments before the accident.
The group left the beach and were waiting to cross Highway 90 when a driver motioned for the foursome to cross.
When they began crossing the road, the right lane of traffic stopped to let the family cross. The boy then stepped into the westbound lane of traffic when he was struck by an oncoming vehicle.
Tony Barrett, 18, of Biloxi, was driving the 1997 Chevy truck that hit Terrell.
The child was transported to Biloxi Regional Medical Center, where he died from his injuries around 10 p.m.
The cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head and chest.
Biloxi Chief of Police John Miller said while the toxicology report is not complete, he does not suspect alcohol was the cause of the accident. No charges have been filed.
“It was just a terrible thing,” Miller said. “It was just so quick.”
Terrell is the child of Shaun and Michelle Terrell, Caledonia natives who now live in Biloxi. Blake Terrell also has an older brother, Christian, 10.
His grandparents are Wanda and Ray Baldwin of Caledonia, Halon McCool and Caroline Swimms of Steens and Frank and Teresa Terrell of Ethelsville, Ala.
Lowndes Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. The visitation will be Friday night. The funeral will be Saturday at 2 p.m.
“He was the most loving, caring child there is,” Wanda Baldwin said. “He loved everybody and did not meet a stranger. He was a very special child.”
Sarah Fowler covered crime, education and community related events for The Dispatch.
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