A four-year-old Missouri boy has died in a horror crash while riding on the back of his mother’s boyfriend’s motorcycle.
Calvin Spurlock, of St Charles, was killed after the bike smashed into a pole last month, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.
The toddler later died at the hospital, while the driver was treated for ‘critical, but non-life-threatening injuries’.
‘We are heartbroken and devastated,’ Janet Bond, Calvin’s grandmother, told KSDK News. ‘Our world is shattered.’
The tragedy unfolded at around 5pm on March 30 after the motorcycle struck a utility pole while leaving westbound Mexico Road, catapulting the pair off of the bike.
The St. Peters Police Department immediately received several 911 calls informing them about the accident.
Both riders were wearing helmets and Calvin was seated in a second passenger seat at the time as mandated by law.
There is no minimum age required to ride on a motorcycle in the state of Missouri.
Calvin Spurlock, 4, of St. Charles, Missouri, was killed in a devastating accident while riding on the back of his mother’s boyfriend’s motorcycle last month
On March 30, the toddler was on the back of his mother’s boyfriend’s motorcycle when they crashed into a utility pole, ejecting them immediately (pictured: Calvin, his mother Haley Perez and her boyfriend)
Several of heartbroken family members gathered at the crash site in torrential downpour on Friday, leaving behind stuffed animals and a cross in Calvin’s memory
Calvin reportedly told his grandmother that he had previously been in a motorcycle accident while riding with his mother’s boyfriend, but he wasn’t hurt.
The incident led to a judge issuing a court order in late January, which demanded that Calvin could only ride with a driver equipped with a valid license.
Sgt. Melissa Doss of St. Peters police said that because an investigation is still ongoing, the department was unable to confirm whether or not the driver had a valid license at the time of the crash.
Bond has since stated that she is ‘livid’ her grandson was allowed to ride with his mother’s boyfriend, St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.
‘It makes me very angry,’ she told the outlet.
No other vehicles were involved in the accident. The police department’s reconstruction team is in the process of investigating the details, including whether speed or other factors played a part in the tragic outcome.
Grieving the heartbreaking loss of her grandson, Bond took to social media and pleaded for witnesses to come forward, desperately wanting to know if anyone had been holding Calvin’s hand in his final moments.
She connected with two people who stayed with the toddler until paramedics and emergency crews arrived.
Calvin told his grandmother that he had previously been in a motorcycle accident while riding with his mother’s boyfriend, but he wasn’t hurt
James Spurlock, Calvin’s father, announced his plans to launch a campaign aimed at banning children riding on motorcycles titled #calvinslaw (pictured: Calvin and James)
The previous motorcycle accident led to a judge issuing a court order in late January, which demanded that Calvin could only ride with a driver equipped with a valid license, though it is still unclear the driver had one
‘They did give him comfort,’ Bond told St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Several of heartbroken family members gathered at the crash site in torrential downpour on Friday, leaving behind stuffed animals and a cross in Calvin’s memory.
‘The shock hasn’t worn off, it hasn’t really hit me yet that he’s really gone,’ Lindsay Lee, Calvin’s aunt, told First Alert 4 News.
‘He lit up every room he walked into, and there wasn’t a life that he met that he didn’t touch,’ she added.
‘It’s been a whirlwind ever since. It’s been a lot of different emotions.’
Calvin lived with his mother and her boyfriend, whose name has not been released by police.
James has since been outspoken on Facebook following his son’s death, announcing plans to launch a campaign aimed at banning children riding on motorcycles titled #calvinslaw.
‘Reach out to legislation and help us get #calvinslaw passed,’ James wrote to Facebook. ‘There are currently no laws preventing children from being on motorcycles.’
No other vehicles were involved in the accident. The police department’s reconstruction team is in the process of investigating the details, including whether speed or other factors played a part in the tragic outcome (pictured: Calvin with his mom and her partner)
Calvin was described in his obituary as being an energetic, smart, fearless and beloved little boy to all that knew him
James Spurlock, Calvin’s father, and his mother, Haley Perez, have been involved in a court case in Louis County for custody arrangements over the toddler
Calvin was described in his obituary as being an energetic, smart, fearless and beloved little boy to all that knew him.
‘He was a friend to all and left a mark on the heart of everyone he met. To know him was to love him,’ the memorial read.
‘Calvin never passed up a mommy-son date to Panera on a Friday morning, a bowl of Queso (and a chip or two) at El Mezon to celebrate his good behavior at school that day, or snuggling up with mommy and daddy while watching Secret Life of Pets.
‘His enthusiasm for life was truly contagious,’ it added. Though his time here was far too short, Calvin experienced more in his 4 ½ years than most adults will in a lifetime.
‘And without a doubt, Heaven is the most beautiful place he has ever seen or experienced. Calvin is loved beyond words and will be deeply missed by all who crossed paths with him.’
