Video: Family Reflects On The Life Of 8 Year Old Grandson Who Was Killed Crossing Highway 245

SHANNON, MISS. (WCBI) – As early as Thursday morning, Vicki Hotard was busy packing for a trip to
see family members in New Orleans.

Her 8 year old grandson, Adam Robert, was excited about seeing his great
grandmother, but Thursday afternoon, tragedy struck.

“We come outside, we was going to pick the trash up from the road, ditch and
the yard, he never crossed the road, ever and something caught his eye, I
guess and he went across the road. He was trying to come back, there was two
cars involved, the first one swerved and missed him and the second car hit
him,” Hotard recalled.

Several people stopped to help and paramedics tried in vain to save Adam.

Barely 24 hours later, Hotard is on the phone with the young woman whose car
struck Adam.

“We know it was an accident, she’s very tore up just like the rest of us and
I told her, you know, if she needed to call me and talk she could, whatever,
come by and we told her we didn’t blame her,” Hotard said.

The Chevy Impala that struck Adam sits parked across the road, from the house
where Adam lived with his grandparents. Chalk drawings made by the Shannon
Primary School student are visible on the front porch.
Hotard didn’t hesitate when asked to describe her grandson.

“Very active young man, loved to talk, loved to be outside, loved to fish,
his pappaw was fixing to take him fishing this weekend, two weeks ago they
caught a fish, he just loved being outside, being with us, he is a loving
kid, he loved everybody,” Hotard said.

Now, the family has made funeral arrangements, and they have received offers
of help from family, friends and strangers.

Hotard says the family is grateful for the outpouring of support, but they
want to see what can be done to make the stretch of highway safer for
everyone.

“The speed limit is 45, but they don’t do it, I don’t know if we could put
signs up that say kids playing, or put speed bumps in the road, something
has got to be done, it’s very dangerous,” she said.

We did reach out to MDOT and a spokesman says they will look at the issue.
Meantime, the funeral for Adam Robert is set for 1 Saturday at Pegues in
Tupelo.

If you would like to help the family with unexpected expenses, call 662 372 7985.