Teenage Boy Dies After Falling Off Memorial Day Parade Float

A 13-year-old boy in Ohio died after falling off a trailer that was attached to a pickup truck during a Memorial Day parade on Monday, the Summit County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) said in a Facebook post.

“Following the fall, the juvenile was struck by the dual tires of the trailer,” SCSO added.

Newsweek has reached out to the City of Green for further comment via email during non-working hours on Monday night.

The Context

Parades are a Memorial Day staple across the nation to help commemorate United States military members who gave their lives while serving. The celebration is considered by many to be the unofficial start of the summer.

The parade in Green, which is midway between Akron and Canton, was one of four planned events on Memorial Day, which included a ceremony, a pancake breakfast, and a car show, according to the city’s website.

What To Know

The teenager fell off the trailer that was being pulled by a 2024 Ford F-150 pickup truck just before 11:30 a.m. local time and sustained severe injuries, according to press releases from the SCSO and the Green Fire Department.

First responders, who were on scene immediately, rendered medical aid to the boy who was then taken to Akron Children’s Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

While he has not been identified, the Green Fire Department’s press release said the teenager attended North Canton City Schools.

Local news station News 5 Cleveland reported that after teenager fell, the parade ended.

Child Dies in Fall Off Parade Float — Police tape is seen on the ground at the scene of a mass shooting in Monterey Park, California, on January 22, 2023.

Photo by ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images

What People Are Saying

Green Mayor Rocco Yeargin in a statement, per ABC News: “Our hearts go out to the family at this time of terrible loss. We look to support them as a Green community any way that we can.”

The North Canton City Schools District in a statement, per News 5 Cleveland: “We are deeply saddened to have been informed of the passing of one of our North Canton City Schools students. There is no greater tragedy than the death of a young person, and we offer our sincere condolences and support to the family. Our crisis management team is taking action and will provide counselors and supports to students and staff throughout the district grieving this tragic loss. To respect the privacy of the family and the ongoing Summit County Sheriff’s Office investigation, that is all the information we have to share at this time.”