Chester Boy Struck & Killed After Returning from Father's Funeral

Investigators returned to the scene of a car accident that claimed the life of a 4-year-old boy who was returning home from his father's funeral.

Karder Hardy had just exited a gold Dodge Charger at 11th and Upland Streets in Chester, Pa. around 5 p.m. on Saturday when he was hit by a white passenger van, Chester Police say.

The boy jumped out of the car's backseat after seeing his mother standing outside, according to police.

"I seen him laying on the ground and I was holding him and telling him to hold on, hold on Karder," Denise Brown, his great aunt, said.

Hardy was rushed to Crozer-Chester Medical Center with severe head trauma, but his injuries were too severe and he was pronounced dead on arrival, police said.

"He was a loveable little boy," the aunt said.

Police say the 42-year-old van driver did stop and was questioned by detectives at the city’s police station. Police say it appears to be an accident.

The family had just returned from the funeral for the boy’s father, Derrick Brown, police said. The man was murdered last Saturday in the city's West End. Investigators believe he was an innocent bystander.

"It's too much for the family to deal with all in one day," said Kathy Pappas, a family friend.

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