According to the North Carolina Highway Patrol (NCSHP), a tractor-trailer hit the child on NC 42 near Sadie Road around 8:10 p.m. Tuesday in Wilson County.
The grieving family spoke briefly with ABC11, saying they were heartbroken after the incident in front of their house. They identified the boy as Brooks Ambrose.
State troopers say a driver in a Freightliner was traveling east in the left lane of NC 42 and hit the child, who was walking in the same lane.
The boy was pronounced dead at the scene.
The truck driver pulled over and waited for the Highway Patrol to arrive.
In online mentions, family members called Brooks a happy child, spunky, and full of energy, with a beautiful smile.
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The family asked for prayers for Brooks' parents and his four siblings.
The driver of the Freightliner did not show any contributing factors in the collision, state troopers said.
No charges have been filed. The crash remains under investigation by NCSHP.