Samuel Rife of Green, Ohio, was struck and killed by a Jeep on Friday, April 17, authorities said

NEED TO KNOW

• An Ohio community is mourning the loss of a young boy
• Nine-year-old Samuel Rife was struck and killed by a Jeep on Friday, April 17, authorities said
• “He could walk up to adults and kids. He could talk to anybody. He was a natural performer and storyteller,” his dad shared

An Ohio community is mourning the loss of a 9-year-old boy who was struck and killed in a road accident.

The Summit County Sheriff's Office shared that its deputies and first responders from the Green Fire Department were called to Peachwood Way in the city of Green — located about 10 miles outside Akron — at around 4:30 p.m. local time on Friday, April 17, after receiving reports of a child who had been hit by a vehicle.

"A 2025 Jeep Wrangler had been traveling on Peachwood Way when a nine-year-old male ran into the street and was subsequently struck by the vehicle," the sheriff's office said. "The child was transported to Akron Children's Hospital by the Green Fire Department. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital."

The Jeep's driver was identified as an 81-year-old man, and the sheriff's office said that charges are pending following an open investigation from the Summit Metro Crash Response Team. Officials added that neither speed nor impairment appeared to be a factor in the crash.

Friends and family members have identified the boy as Samuel Rife, a third grader.

The Akron Beacon Journal reported that Samuel was the son of J. Harlen Rife, pastor of Greensburg United Methodist Church, and his wife, Madeline Rife.

Harlen shared a social media post on Saturday, April 18, stating that his son "passed away yesterday following a road accident."

Speaking with the Beacon Journal, Samuel's grieving parents said that Madeline was at home at the time of the accident and heard a commotion outside.

"I went running outside," Madeline said, sharing that her son had been playing baseball with a friend in their yard before the tragedy. "I didn't have my cell phone on me. One of my neighbors called 911 and helped with the first CPR attempts."

Several neighbors and bystanders stepped in to help, and one neighbor attempted CPR.

"We even had a neighbor try to reroute an ice cream truck so they could keep the area clear," Madeline recalled.

"Our hearts also go out to the driver," Harlen said. "From what we understand, this was a really unfortunate accident. We understand they were devastated as well. We are still processing things, but we hope to meet with them."

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Samuel is being remembered as an athletic, "very outgoing" third grader who was passionate about the outdoors and helping others.

"I'm a pastor, so my job involves socializing and moving through the room," his dad told the Beacon Journal. "I could not hold a candle to Sam. He could walk up to adults and kids. He could talk to anybody. He was a natural performer and storyteller. He loved military history. Would read something and then go and tell you all about it."

Madeline added that a former neighbor would call their son "Mr. Mayor," sharing that even as a 2-year-old, Samuel would go up to people and shake their hands.

"As the son of a pastor, he was exposed to people in need at a young age," Harlen said, noting that Samuel often helped with food distribution and volunteered with a housing organization. "Sam was really passionate about people who were unhoused or hungry."

A family friend has since started a GoFundMe page to collect donations for Family Support Specialists at Green City Schools in Samuel's memory.

"Sam was a passionate supporter of food security for all and volunteered at local food distributions in Akron and Canton," the page states. "Honor the FSS program at Green, which is doing great work with our neighbors and family."

The Rife family told the Beacon Journal that they have received an outpouring of support from their son's school, law enforcement and fire officials, their church community and more in the wake of the tragedy.

"This is one of the worst possible moments in our lives, but we feel very well taken care of," Madeline said.

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