Vigil held for 5-year-old run over by pickup truck in Phoenix

PHOENIX (FOX 10) - Over the weekend, family and friends remembered Branden Weaver Jr., a 5-year-old boy who was run over by a pickup truck in Phoenix.

Several green balloons were released into the air in honor of Branden's favorite color. Family and friends called him 'butter' and their community is closer than ever, rallying around Branden's parents in the wake of his death.

"For him to just get hit by a car ans then pass away that's crazy to me, he was only five, he was a good boy," said Branden Weaver Sr., Branden's father.

It happened Thursday afternoon right in front of Saint Simons and Jude Cathedral School where buses drop kids off. There are no speed bumps on the street.

Weaver says they young children in the neighborhood need to be protected.

"It doesn't have to go any further, my son is the example," said Weaver Sr.

Police say a 71-year-old man drove the pickup truck that hit Branden. His parents have a message for the driver.

"And if you have kids you should take responsibility, you should understand how we feel because it could have been yours," said Erica Lewis, Branden's mother.

The number of loving notes left for "butter" grow each day. Weaver says his baby boy didn't deserve to die, but deserves justice.

"We are on 27th and Maryland where my son got hit and passed away, nobody made an arrest, nobody did anything about my son," said Weaver Sr.

If you'd like to donate to the funeral expenses for Branden, his family has a GoFundMe page.