A 6-year-old boy, Hudson Stephen O’Loughlin, was fatally struck by an SUV while bicycling in Pacific Beach, San Diego, on Jan. 17. Authorities say the driver stopped briefly after the initial collision, then ran over the child a second time before fleeing; the suspect was later arrested in National City. Police do not believe alcohol was a factor and are asking the public to contact Crime Stoppers with any information. A community memorial has formed and a GoFundMe has raised more than $67,000; McKinley Elementary will have crisis support on campus.
San Diego Hit-and-Run: 6-Year-Old Hudson O’Loughlin Fatally Struck; Driver Arrested
GoFundMe
A 6-year-old boy, Hudson Stephen O’Loughlin, was fatally struck while riding his bicycle in San Diego’s Pacific Beach neighborhood on Saturday, Jan. 17. Authorities say the driver briefly stopped after the initial collision, then ran the child over a second time before fleeing the scene. The suspect was located hours later and taken into custody in National City.
What Happened
Police say Hudson was riding along Pacific Beach Drive with family at about 3:45 p.m. when an SUV turning into an alley near Ingraham Street struck him. Investigators report the 32-year-old woman driving the SUV stopped for several seconds, then pulled forward and struck Hudson again before leaving.
Hudson was transported to a hospital and later died from his injuries. Authorities do not believe alcohol was a factor in the crash. Police asked anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.
Eyewitness Accounts
“The father was ahead of the kid, and he went across, and then the kid was coming across, and the lady in front of me cut right into the alley and didn’t see the kid, obviously, and ran over the kid,”
said witness David Morrow, who told local reporters he was driving behind the SUV. Morrow added the driver stopped briefly and then struck the child again.
ABC 10 News/YouTube
“My son is behind me, my other son and wife are about 10 feet behind us. No cars, I cross over, I’m fine … I look back to check on him and the lady just runs him over,”
Hudson’s father, Matthew O’Loughlin, told reporters.
Community Response
A memorial of flowers, candles and handwritten notes has formed along Pacific Beach Drive as neighbors and cyclists honor Hudson and call for safer streets. A GoFundMe started for Hudson’s family had raised more than $67,000 by Monday, Jan. 19. The fundraiser described Hudson as a bright, curious child who loved BMX, cycling, swimming, skating and building with Legos and dreamed of becoming a military scientist.
The San Diego Unified School District confirmed Hudson was a first-grade student at McKinley Elementary School. School officials said a district crisis response team would be on campus beginning Tuesday, Jan. 20 to support students, staff and families.
Police continue to investigate. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.
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