A 5-year-old boy, Cooper Villano, was tragically killed Thursday afternoon after being hit by a car while walking home from school in East Haven, Connecticut, according to East Haven police. The incident occurred around 3:20 p.m. at the intersection of Foxon Road and Bennett Road. This location is situated down the road from Deer Run School and directly across the street from a local firehouse.
East Haven police stated that the driver of the vehicle remained at the scene following the collision. As of Friday, authorities confirmed that no charges had been filed, and the investigation into the fatal accident remains ongoing.
East Haven Fire Chief Matthew Marcarelli reported that firefighters heard screams and immediately ran to the scene to try and save the young boy. Chief Marcarelli indicated that a number of paramedics worked on Cooper, but his injuries were ultimately too severe. He described the profound impact on the emergency responders, stating, "I don’t care what amount of training you have, what amount of experience you have, or how many years you have on the job, when you see something like that, it’s certainly something that will stay with them for the rest of their lives, a very traumatic event." Chief Marcarelli also noted that some firefighters knew Cooper's family, and even the boy himself. In response to the traumatic event, the East Haven Fire Department brought in peer support services to assist its firefighters.
In the wake of the tragedy, a memorial has steadily grown along Foxon Road. It began with a single rose and a small pumpkin, and has since expanded to include candles and teddy bears, placed by community members expressing their grief.
East Haven resident Gina Macholl visited the memorial to pay her respects to Cooper. Macholl expressed her sorrow, stating that she "just wanted to honor little Cooper. He was just walking home from school, doing something he did every day with his family." She recounted seeing Cooper frequently at the Little League field, where he was a part of that community. Macholl remembered watching him every day, "always laughing and smiling, playing." She further conveyed the community’s sentiment, emphasizing their desire for Cooper’s family to know they are not alone and that "He’s loved. He’s so loved." Jenny Kulikowski, representing Bobby Crabtree Chevrolet, also came to the growing memorial to show support for the family and community.
Beyond the spontaneous community outpouring, structured support has also emerged. The East Haven Academy PTO has organized a meal train to provide practical assistance to Cooper Villano’s family during this difficult time. Furthermore, the East Haven school district announced it is making support services available for any students or staff who may need assistance or counseling following the tragic incident.