03/13/2026
A little boy in Memphis lost his life today after simply doing what children do, playing outside. His ball rolled into the street and when he went to get it, a car came speeding through and hit him. Sadly, he did not survive.
My heart is heavy for this entire situation. I am praying for this baby’s parents and family because there is truly no pain like losing a child. That is a hurt no parent should ever have to experience. At the same time, I am also praying for the person who hit him. From what I have heard, the driver did stay on the scene, and I can only imagine how devastated they must feel knowing they were involved in something so tragic.
Watching the situation unfold is heartbreaking because that baby actually tried to be patient before going after his ball. He waited for a moment and tried to make sure it was safe before stepping into the street. He thought it was clear, but sadly it just wasn’t. The car was coming too fast. Yes, speeding through a residential area is wrong, but I am also sure the person driving is devastated knowing that their actions took the life of a child. I cannot even imagine carrying that kind of pain.
What really troubles me is how insensitive the internet can be during moments like this. The child’s mother posted the video of the accident on Facebook and many people immediately started asking why she would post something so graphic. But the truth is, people grieve differently. When something this sudden and traumatic happens, many people are still in shock. Their minds are racing, their emotions are everywhere, and they are simply trying to process what just happened. Not everyone’s mind works the same in moments of grief.
Then come the questions about parenting, asking why the mother was not outside and why the child was playing near the street. But let’s be honest with ourselves for a moment. No parent is perfect. None of us watch our children every single second of every day. Children have played outside in their yards for generations. A child going outside to play basketball is something that should feel normal and safe.
Instead of pointing fingers and assigning blame while a family is mourning their child, maybe we should offer grace. Maybe we should offer prayers, encouragement, and compassion. There will be time later for investigations and answers. But right now this mother and family are facing the unthinkable.
This is simply a heartbreaking tragedy all the way around. I am deeply sorry that baby is no longer here. Maybe this tragedy will serve as a wake up call for everyone to slow down and be more mindful when driving through residential neighborhoods where children are outside playing.
Prayers for the baby, his family, and everyone affected by this loss. And maybe this is a moment for all of us to remember to slow down, be more mindful while driving through neighborhoods, and to show a little more grace to people during their darkest moments.
