The death of a 13-year-old boy struck by a car in West Mifflin over the weekend has been ruled an accident, the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office said Monday.
Terrel “TJ” Byars Jr. of Homewood was hit in front of a Speedway convenience store at 4315 Kennywood Blvd. Saturday evening and died almost six hours later of multiple blunt force injuries at UPMC Children’s Hospital Of Pittsburgh, according to the medical examiner’s office.
Details about the incident remained sparse Monday.
An Allegheny County Police spokesman said the department was not investigating. West Mifflin police could not provide information about the accident and told TribLive the chief was not available.
Terrel was a sixth-grade student at East Allegheny’s Logan Elementary School in North Versailles, according to a statement from the school district.
It was unclear Monday how Terrel was attending school in North Versailles if authorities listed him as living in the City of Pittsburgh.
On Monday afternoon the school hosted counselors from Turtle Creek Valley Community Service to provide grief support as family and friends mourned the teenager.
Kenya Wilson, who told TribLive she was Terrel’s aunt, said her nephew was deeply loved.
“He had a kind heart, a bright spirit and meant everything to those who knew him. Our family is focused on honoring his life and advocating for truth, accountability and awareness surrounding the circumstances of his passing,” Wilson said by email.
A GoFundMe page, organized by Wilson’s fiance, RayQuan Skinner, was active on Monday.
By Monday evening there were several hundred donations that raised more than $8,600.
The fundraising description said Terrel was “hit by a car while walking to the store with friends” which resulted in brain damage and emergency surgery.
A social media post on Facebook about Terrel’s death had over 500 comments offering condolences to his family.