BARRY TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — A family grieving the loss of a 5-year-old boy is struggling to pay for his unexpected funeral.
"I'm still in shock about it," Bonnie Smith said of the death of her grandson Blake Huffman.
A Jimmy John's sandwich delivery driver hit and killed Blake Friday at the Windsor Woods Village manufactured home community in Wayland.
Blake's grandmother and stepgrandfather, Ed Smith, told 24 Hour News 8 that the little boy frequently imagined life as a superhero. Bonnie Smith recalled her grandson's energetic spirit and his affinity for capes and masks.
"He loved Batman. He also liked Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Superman," Ed Smith said at their home in Delton.
Bonnie Smith said Blake, the middle of three children, was riding his 7-year-old sister's bike at the time of the crash.
"That was actually the first time he rode the bike without the training wheels and right before it happened, he gave his sister a high five," she said.
"(I) couldn't believe it happened because when we would babysit at their house, we would walk up to McDonald's and he would always watch for traffic," she continued. "That's why it was such a tragedy, because I know he watches for traffic."
Blake's grandparents say they hope to learn more about the crash. They added they're praying for the driver involved, who was not arrested.
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