Young boy killed when hit by car in north Tulsa while walking to school

TULSA - A young boy died Wednesday morning after being hit by a car in north Tulsa.

Elijah Rivers, 7, and a 12-year-old girl who's a family friend were walking to school near Pine and North Harvard around 7 a.m. when they stepped off the sidewalk to cross the street and Rivers was hit by a car.

EMSA paramedics transported Rivers to a local hospital in serious condition but he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Officials on scene initially said Rivers was wearing a dark costume and they were investigating whether visibility was an issue. A witness told 2NEWS the boy was wearing a red bandana, a red and black jacket and black pants and shoes.

River's father, Tshaka Rivers, says he's devastated by his son's loss. He remembers him as very funny, having a great sense of humor. Tshaka says his only son was into sports and an aspiring musician.

Rivers says he's setting up an account at Arvest Bank to help with his son's funeral.

Rivers was a student at Tulsa Lighthouse Charter School, located near East 63rd Street North and North Martin Luther King Boulevard.

Jamila MacArthur, principal of Tulsa Lighthouse Charter School, released the following statement:

Tulsa Lighthouse Charter School is deeply saddened by the loss of life that occurred this morning when one of our scholars was fatally hit by a car.  The safety of our students is the primary concern at Tulsa Lighthouse Charter School.  We share the pain felt by so many and grieve with the family.  We are providing our scholars, their families and our staff with access to grief counselors.  We appreciate the outpouring of support and offers of assistance from the community as we work through the painful loss that has occurred within our school family.

The accident occurred near a Tulsa Public Schools campus. TPS officials say a number of students at Celia Clinton Elementary witnessed the incident.

Superintendent Keith Ballard released a statement offering condolences to those who knew Rivers.

We are saddened by the loss this morning of 7-year-old Elijah Rivers, a student at Tulsa Lighthouse Charter School, who was struck by a car this morning. He was en route to a bus stop near Celia Clinton Elementary with his 12-year-old sister. No words can express the hurt we feel in our hearts for this young man and his family. Our sincere condolences to Elijah’s family and his classmates and teachers at Tulsa Lighthouse Charter School. There were a number of students at Celia Clinton who witnessed the accident this morning.  We have several staff members who are meeting with the children this morning to help them through this very difficult day.

Ballard says TPS has a charter compact with the Tulsa Lighthouse Charter School. They opened for the 2012-2013 school year in the former Greeley Elementary building.