A 7-year-old Florida boy walking alongside his dad was struck to death by a driver allegedly on drugs on Wednesday evening in Palmetto, police said.
The 35-year-old driver, Aaron Naylor, was busted on drug charges as well as DWI manslaughter after the tragic crash, according to authorities. According to the Palmetto Police Department Chief Scott Tyler, Naylor was believed to be driving under the influence of narcotics.
According to the authorities’ report, the 7-year-old victim and his dad were jogging on the sidewalk near 8th Avenue West and 4th Street near the Green Bridge.
Naylor slammed the van he was driving into a light pole, a signboard, before hitting 7-year-old James Patrick Linzi and his father, police said.
The boy was transported to Tampa General Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Police said the father suffered minor injuries and was in a stable condition.
“It’s hard. Anytime we have somebody that dies in the city we are sad, but it was a case of a little boy on the sidewalk with his dad and struck down by what was a careless driver and impaired driver. It’s hard,” Chief Tyler said.
The father and son were heading home from a Jiu-Jitsu class when Taylor’s van lost control. Police said the father tried to save his son by pushing him out of the car’s way but was unfortunately late.
John Freymann, the Jiu-Jitsu instructor, said James trained with him, along with his father, since he was 4. James had just turned 7 on Tuesday, Freymann said.
“l never have seen a bond like a father and son like them two. They were inseparable,” said Freymann.
“He had his whole future ahead of him. There are no words to describe what kid he was. It’s just when you were in his presence there was something unique about him,” said Freymann.
James and his dad were going for a jog over the bridge and told the instructor they would return to the studio to have dinner. Unfortunately, they did not make it back.
“The father had him specifically run on the inside. He didn’t want him next to traffic, away from the curve,” the instructor said.
After the crash, Naylor reportedly managed to get out of the van, staggered onto the road, and was found lying on the sidewalk when first responders arrived at the scene. He suffered minor injuries and was transported to Manatee Memorial Hospital, according to witnesses and police reports.
Chief Tyler said the crash is under investigation.
“I just implore people slow down, don’t drive impaired, get a designated driver if you must,” Chief Tyler said. “Just don’t affect other people with your actions.”
Police searched Naylor’s van after the crash and found used needles, glass pipes, meth, and Xanax. He was booked into the Manatee County Jail on a $500,000 bond.
