Driver Accused of Hitting Boy on Bike, Then Hitting Him a Second Time While Fleeing By Christina Coulter

A driver is accused of striking a 6-year-old boy riding his bike in San Diego’s Pacific Beach neighborhood and then hitting him a second time while fleeing the scene — leaving him fatally injured.

Hudson Stephen O’Loughlin was riding his bicycle along Pacific Beach Drive with his family around 3:45 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, when he was hit by a vehicle as he crossed an alley near Ingraham Street, according to CBS 8, ABC 10 and FOX 5.

Police said a 32-year-old woman driving an SUV struck Hudson while turning into the alley, stopped for several seconds and then drove forward, running the child over before leaving the scene.

Hudson was taken to a hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

The driver was located hours later in National City and taken into custody, police said, per the outlets. Authorities said alcohol was not believed to be a factor in the crash and asked anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.

Witness David Morrow, who told CBS 8 that he was driving behind the SUV at the time, said Hudson and his father were riding ahead of him on the sidewalk when the vehicle turned suddenly into the alley.

“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,” Morrow said.

Morrow said the driver stopped briefly before fleeing.

“Right after she hit the kid, she ran over him twice. Like, both wheels ran over the kid,” he recalled.

Hudson’s father, Matthew O’Loughlin, told FOX 5 that he was just steps ahead of his son when the crash occurred.

“My son is behind me, my other son and wife are about 10 feet behind us,” he said. “No cars, I cross over, I’m fine … I look back to check on him and the lady just runs him over.”

Since the crash, a growing memorial of flowers, candles and handwritten messages has formed along Pacific Beach Drive, according to NBC 7 San Diego, where neighbors and cyclists have gathered to honor Hudson’s life and call for safer streets.

A GoFundMe initiative, which had raised more than $67,000 as of Monday, Jan. 19, described Hudson as “a vibrant, curious, and deeply loved 6-year-old” whose energy “was contagious.”

“Hudson was a bright, curious child who loved all things science,” the fundraiser reads. “He filled every room with his spirit and had a passion for BMX, cycling, swimming, skating, and building with Legos.”

According to the fundraiser, Hudson attended school in North Park, dreamed of becoming a military scientist and brought “so much joy, kindness, and wonder to everyone he met.”

The San Diego Unified School District confirmed Hudson was a first-grade student at McKinley Elementary School, per a letter shared by CBS 8. School officials said the district’s crisis response team would be on campus beginning Tuesday, Jan. 20 to support students, staff and families.

“Our entire school community is deeply saddened by this loss, and our hearts are with Hudson’s family during this incredibly difficult time,” McKinley Elementary School Principal Jonathan Morello wrote in the letter.