A Maryland family is grieving the loss of a 7-year-old boy after a motorcycle plowed into the family in Hyattsville last weekend, killing the child and injuring his father, brother and sister.
Alejandro Santos, a first-grader at Springhill Lake Elementary School in Greenbelt, was a happy child who loved Spiderman and birds, his loved ones said Friday.
"He was very friendly and social," family friend Aida Mendoza said. "There are no words to describe this tragedy."
The crash that killed little Alejandro on Saturday left his father, Omar, and brother Leonardo in critical condition. His sister suffered a broken leg and she -- along with the children's mother -- was too distraught to speak.
Family friend Shana Sterkin, a teacher who taught Alejandro's sister, started a GoFundMe account to help the Santos family pay for Alejandro's funeral and family's ongoing medical expenses.
"I just feel like my heart is breaking for everybody," she said. "They are the nicest people."
A motorcycle rider traveling westbound on East-West Highway was making a left turn into the Mall at Prince George's when the rider collided with a car, investigators said. The four members of the Santos family were standing on the sidewalk when the rider was thrown to the ground and his motorcycle slammed into them. Police believe the motorcycle rider was speeding just before the fatal crash.
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As the investigation continues, loved ones ask for help for the Santos family. As of 10:30 p.m. Friday, more than $6,200 had been donated toward a $15,000 goal.