New Jersey roads can be dangerous, especially for pedestrians. Even if those traveling by foot adhere to crosswalk regulations and act with caution, there is no guarantee against personal injury if a negligent driver is nearby. A community is grieving the loss of a 12-year-old boy, and investigators are working hard to find answers to many questions about the accident that recently took his life.

The child was walking with a group of friends just after 9 p.m. on a recent Sunday. It is common for local police to patrol the area. A patrol that was ongoing at the time, however, led to a horrific accident. The police officer's car reportedly struck the boy. While he initially survived the sudden impact of the collision, the boy died shortly after.

The officer in question has been employed at the sheriff's department for approximately 10 years. After the accident, he was transported to a nearby hospital. However, information was not provided as to whether the hospital visit was simply a precautionary measure or if he was injured in the crash.

When a child suffers a fatal personal injury due to driver negligence in a New Jersey car accident, his or her parents or legal guardians are able to seek financial recovery for monetary damages by filing a wrongful death claim in a civil court. There is, of course, no replacement for the loss of a human life. However, the civil litigation process is often helpful, especially in situations where parents or guardians are completely unprepared to meet funeral expenses or other financial matters associated with a child's death.