9-year-old boy hit and killed by car outside school on Chicago's West Side
A 9-year-old boy was hit and killed by a car outside his elementary school in the Austin neighborhood on Chicago's West Side on Thursday morning.
The mother of the boy, Anakin Cesar Perez, said her son was happy and full of light, and an "old soul."
Just after 7:40 a.m., police said a driver headed west in the 4800 block of West Walton Street hit the boy in front of McNair Elementary School. Anakin's family said he was on his way to school at the time and was crossing the street.
Surveillance video provided by the family shows him run from behind a gate across the street from the school, in between two parked cars, and into the street, where a silver Chevrolet sedan hit him and dragged him down the street.
"He ran in front of you, and you mean to tell me you didn't see him? You continued to go. There was no brake lights, there was no sympathy," said his aunt, Anna Perez.
Police said he was taken to Stroger Hospital of Cook County, where he was pronounced dead.
Witnesses said the driver initially kept going after the crash, but eventually returned to the scene.
"There was footage of him being dragged. She must have felt the impact that she did to my grandson," said Anakin's grandmother, Anna Maritza Perez.
The driver was taken into custody, and police said charges were pending late Thursday. On Friday morning, police confirmed that the driver had been released without charges. The investigation remains ongoing.
Anakin's mother said her son loved to play football. She held her son's football jersey out the front passenger-side window of a GMC Yukon as she headed home to tell her daughter that her brother would not be coming home from school.
Anakin's death comes with a call for change from the community, as neighbors point to one constant — reckless drivers around the school.
Witnesses said Anakin was dragged about half a block from campus.
"It was very traumatizing. It was really bad," said neighbor Ardany Granillo. "I've never seen nothing like that, and I've seen a lot of stuff on this block — a lot of stuff."
Parents gathering at the scene said dozens of students were present when the crash happened.
"It's crazy, because like this kids saw it, so like, the mayor and the alderman — they have to do something about this," said Gerald Hicks, a parent at McNair Elementary.
Parents are now calling for more crossing guards outside the school, and warn about dangerous drivers in the area. They said the school has been without guards on Walton Street for years.
"We could prevent this if we have the proper people to cross our kids. You know what I'm saying?" said Hicks. "Like, don't cut the funding for the people who cross the kids, because like this kid just lost his life for no reason."
Ald. Emma Mitts (37th) said crossing guards are only assigned up the street at Lavergne Avenue and August Boulevard.
"Can they do more? Always can do more. But one thing I will say is reckless driving — we need to cut it out," Mitts said. "Slow down. Take your time — a few minutes' worth saving a life, then do it."
The car that hit Anakin was eventually towed away. Mitts said the driver was also a parent at the school.
"This is a community where everybody knows each other," Mitts said. "Just the thought of knowing that when you send your child to school, you expect for them to come home."
A CPS spokesperson noted the accident did not happen at an intersection where a crossing guard would have been working.
Anakin's family, friends, and classmates returned to McNair on Thursday night, as he was remembered for his love of football and his big personality.
"Anakin was an amazing kid; very funny, very outgoing, very outspoken, but a heart of gold," his aunt said.
Jordan Jones said Anakin was he best friend.
"It was like we had a special bond. It's a bond I can't have with nobody else. I don't know how to describe it," he said.
Anakin's family and other McNair parents said more needs to be done to make it safer for students going to and from school
"As a family, all we can try to do is try and see if we can get justice for him, because he deserves that," his aunt said.
CPS said support services will be available at McNair in the wake of Anakin's death.
CBS News Chicago is also told the school was not impacted by any cuts or changes made to the crossing guard program this year.