Wheaton Kindergarten Student Dies After Being Hit by Car

Photo credit: Support for John GoFundMe page

A 6-year-old Wheaton boy has died after he was struck by a car last week.

John RuatPuia, a kindergarten student at Lincoln Elementary School, was walking home from school with his mother and two siblings on May 4 when he was struck by a vehicle, according to a GoFundMe page set up for the RuatPuia family. John died on Wednesday.

Police said the boy ran out in front of a car in the 1200 block of Taft Avenue, according to the Daily Herald. No charges have been filed against the driver.

The RuatPuia family came to the United States from Malaysia through the World Relief Program and John “has transitioned well to his new school and has made many friends in his first year,” according to the GoFundMe page.

“He has shown tremendous growth academically and socially while learning the English language,” according to the GoFundMepage.

Lincoln Elementary School Principal Jeffrey Mitchem sent a letter out to parents of Lincoln Elementary School students on Wednesday regarding John’s death. On Thursday, teachers, support team members and District 200 response team members were on hand to help “process John’s death with students,” principal Jeffrey Mitchem said in a letter to parents.

“There will be additional support in our building for any student who may be struggling with this news,” Mitchem wrote in the letter.

As of Thursday afternoon, over $21,000 in donations has been made to the RuatPuia family on the GoFundMe page. The donations will cover medical expenses and funeral costs.

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