Amazon delivery driver accused of hit-and-run that killed 4-year-old boy playing at park

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV/Gray News) — An Amazon delivery driver is accused of hitting and killing a 4-year-old boy before leaving the scene.

The crash happened Monday evening near a park in Kansas City.

The family of the child identified him as Tadens Joseph, 4.

The Kansas City Police Department (KCPD) said Tadens was playing in a grassy area of Maple Park before wandering into the road.

Investigators said that an Amazon delivery vehicle had just finished dropping off a package when it struck Tadens.

The Amazon driver initially stopped but then left the scene before police arrived, KCPD said.

A family member ran after the delivery vehicle, and “the driver denied involvement and left the area,” police said.

Tadens died from his injuries.

KCPD detectives said Tuesday that a person of interest “has been taken into custody by police for further investigation.”

A police department spokesperson said the next part of the department’s investigation will be working with the Jackson County prosecutor’s office to gather all findings, including scene reconstruction.

“These are complex investigations and many times can take several weeks to complete,” KCPD said. “It is important to get all of the evidence compiled to present a comprehensive picture of the events.”

Amazon said it is cooperating with the police investigation.

“Our deepest sympathies are with the child’s family during this incredibly difficult time,” Amazon said in a statement. “We’ll cooperate fully with the Kansas City Police Department in their active investigation and defer to them for additional details.”

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas mourned the boy’s death, urging caution for drivers near parks.

“Please slow down while driving near our parks,” he wrote. “Control what you can control. Keep your eyes open for our young people and our pedestrians of all ages.”

Tadens’ family said he loved school, Spider-Man and pizza. The family is from Haiti and speaks very little English.

“It’s really sad,” said Toni Hunter, a neighbor who lives close by.

Hunter said she sees the family in the park all the time.

“They do big dinners down there. They’re always having big old get-togethers. They’ll fill up that whole park down there,” Hunter said. “I don’t usually see them letting their kids run out in the street. So that’s kind of crazy.”

Hunter said she hopes people will slow down and pay more attention, especially around the park.

“Like to just drive off like that. Anybody. Let alone an Amazon driver. You would think that you would at least stop and see if he’s OK,” Hunter said. “But the cars right down there, it’s really dangerous. Like they come speeding around those corners and stuff. That’s why they’ve put up like the speed humps up here.”