3-Year-Old Dies After Running into Oncoming Traffic, Mom Seriously Injured Trying to Save Him

Mar. 15, 2025

Cayden Denny.Photo:GoFundMe

GoFundMe

A 3-year-old boy was killed Sunday afterrunning into trafficin Florida, while his mother, who was also hit, was seriously injured trying to save him.

Police said three people — including the 31-year-old mom and her 3-year-old son — had exited a vehicle “parked southbound in the center lane” of Dairy Road in Melbourne shortly before the toddler ran into traffic.

Both the child and his mom sustained “serious” injuries as a result of the collision, the MPD said. The 3-year-old was eventually pronounced dead.

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Loved ones identified the child as Cayden Denny, according toGoFundMe campaignsset up on behalf of the family. “He was the coolest little boy and his family’s pride and joy,” a family friend wrote in the description on one of the pages.

The organizer went on to share a message her daughter posted on Facebook following the crash.

“I can’t even express how I feel right now besides empty. I am physically hurt as the vehicle struck Cayden and I going 65 mph down dairy road in front of our home,” Cassie wrote. “All I really know is that I tried my best to save him.”

“It all happened very fast,” the mom added. “My body is recovering but I’m not sure if my heart ever will. I am currently living my worst nightmare.”

As of Tuesday afternoon, over $13,000 has been raised via both fundraisers for funeral expenses and travel costs “for some immediate family members that live outside the area.”

An investigation into the crash is ongoing. The MPD said drugs and alcohol were “not a factor in this crash.”

source: people.com