Cayden Denny: Florida boy, 3, dies after running into traffic, mother injured while trying to save him

MELBOURNE, FLORIDA: A three-year-old boy tragically died after he ran into traffic in Florida, leaving his mother seriously injured who got hit while trying to save him. According to the authorities, three people, including the 31-year-old mother and her son had exited a vehicle “parked southbound in the center lane” of Dairy Road in Melbourne shortly before the toddler ran into traffic.

As per a news release from the Melbourne Police Department, the child entered traffic by darting behind a trailer they were pulling, People reports. 

Cayden Denny's mother tried to stop him

The toddler’s mother “attempted to stop the child” shortly before they were both struck by a 2009 Honda Pilot traveling northbound on Dairy Road just before 8.30 pm local time, police noted. Both the child and his mother sustained “serious” injuries as a result of the collision, the MPD said. The three-year-old was eventually pronounced dead.

Further information about the mother’s condition was not released by authorities.

A GoFundMe has been set up by the victim's family

Loved ones identified the child as Cayden Denny, according to GoFundMe campaigns set up on behalf of the family. “He was the coolest little boy and his family's pride and joy,” a family friend wrote in the description on one of the pages.

A second GoFundMe was also set up by the boy's grandmother. "My family is torn to pieces," wrote organizer Michelle Becher, adding "My daughter, Cassie & her husband, Johnny lost their baby boy." The organizer went on to share a message her daughter posted on Facebook following the crash."

"I can’t even express how I feel right now besides empty. I am physically hurt as the vehicle struck Cayden and I going 65 mph down dairy road in front of our home," Cassie wrote, adding "All I really know is that I tried my best to save him. It all happened very fast," the mom added. "My body is recovering but I’m not sure if my heart ever will. I am currently living my worst nightmare."

As of Tuesday afternoon, December 5, over $13,000 has been raised via both fundraisers for funeral expenses and travel costs “for some immediate family members that live outside the area.” An investigation into the crash is ongoing. The authorities did not suspect any foul play as the MPD said drugs and alcohol were “not a factor in this crash.”