Twelve-Year-Old Haverhill Accident Victim Dies; Family Calls Him a ‘Hero’

File photograph. (Image licensed by Ingram Image.)

His parents call him a “hero” and it’s a feeling shared by his teachers who came to visit him at a Boston hospital after he was struck by a car a week ago Friday.

Twelve-year-old Nathan De Leon, the oldest of three children of Judy and Jeremy De Leon, died Thursday at a Boston hospital.

“Today God called Nathan’s name and brought him to heaven to be amongst the greatest that has ever lived! Nathan fought hard but he unfortunately had significant brain trauma that he wasn’t able to survive,” his parents said on a fundraising page that family and friends hoped would help pay for his recovery rather than funeral expenses.

As WHAV reported after the accident, De Leon was flown to a Boston’s Tufts Medical Center after suffering what police called “serious” injuries outside his home on Bradford’s Farrwood Drive. He was struck by a Buick Encore, Haverhill Police said. Haverhill Police Capt. Stephen J. Doherty Jr. previously told WHAV no charges were immediately filed.

His parents reported De Leon had two brain surgeries with the second “causing a stroke on the right side of his brain.” He was baptized in his hospital bed early last week. Despite prayers and best hopes, the boy remained unresponsive and underwent a scan Wednesday to determine if there was any brain activity.

Upon his passing, his organs were donated so that seven other lives might be saved.

“Nathan was loved and will never be forgotten,” his parents said.

As of Saturday, a fundraising page was short about $2,000 of a $15,000 goal. Contributions may be made here.

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