9-Year-Old Child Struck and Killed by Vehicle Near Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A tragic accident unfolded just blocks from the University of Arkansas campus Friday afternoon when a 9-year-old child was struck by a vehicle and later died from their injuries, according to the Fayetteville Police Department.
The incident occurred at approximately 2:45 p.m. in the 700 block of North Sunset Drive, near Cleveland Street, only a short distance north of Razorback Stadium. Police said the child was hit by a vehicle under circumstances that remain under investigation.
Bystanders immediately rushed to the child’s aid, administering medical assistance until emergency crews arrived. Fayetteville Fire Department paramedics quickly transported the child to a nearby hospital. Despite life-saving measures, the child was later pronounced dead.
Authorities have not yet released the name of the victim out of respect for the family, who are being notified of the tragic loss.
The Fayetteville Police Department confirmed that the driver involved remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. Officers did not immediately say whether speeding, impairment, or distracted driving were factors in the incident.
The stretch of North Sunset Drive, a residential area that also sees heavy traffic during campus events, was closed to traffic for several hours as officers conducted a full accident reconstruction.
Neighbors described the heartbreaking scene as emergency crews worked to save the young victim. “It happened so fast. Everyone was in shock, and people just ran to help,” said one witness. “It’s devastating to know a child’s life was lost right here in our neighborhood.”
The tragedy has cast a shadow over the Fayetteville community, especially with the proximity to the University of Arkansas campus, where pedestrian and vehicle traffic often mix heavily. Local residents and parents are renewing calls for heightened safety measures, including more crosswalks, signage, and traffic calming in neighborhoods near the stadium.
Police said the investigation is ongoing and urged anyone who may have witnessed the incident to contact the Fayetteville Police Department’s traffic division.
Counseling resources are expected to be offered through local schools and community organizations as residents mourn the loss of the child.
“This is a heartbreaking situation for everyone involved — the family, the driver, and the entire community,” Fayetteville Police said in a statement Friday evening. “Our hearts go out to the family as they navigate this unimaginable tragedy.”