# 5-year-old boy killed walking home from school

> A 5-year-old boy died after being hit by a car while walking home from school in East Haven, Conn.
- Title: 5-year-old boy killed walking home from school | Shortify
- Summary: A 5-year-old boy died after being hit by a car while walking home from school in East Haven, Conn.
- Keywords: cooper villano, east haven, deer run school, foxon road, bennett road, fire chief matthew marcarelli, east haven academy pto, east haven school district, news, local, 5-year-old, boy
- Source: Valleynewslive — https://valleynewslive.com/2026/09/19/5-year-old-hit-killed-walking-home-school
- Published: 2026-09-19T01:16:12.392+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: cooper villano, east haven, deer run school, foxon road, bennett road, fire chief matthew marcarelli, east haven academy pto, east haven school district, news, local
## Tragic accident
A 5-year-old boy named Cooper Villano was struck by a car near Deer Run School at 3:20 p.m. Thursday.

> I just wanted to honor little Cooper. He was just walking home from school, doing something he did every day with his family.
## Community memorial grows
A memorial along Foxon Road started with a rose and pumpkin, now includes candles and teddy bears.
## Firefighters respond
Firefighters heard screams and tried to save Cooper but his injuries were too severe.

> I don’t care what amount of training you have, what amount of experience you have, or how many years you have on the job, when you see something like that, it’s certainly something that will stay with them for the rest of their lives, a very traumatic event.
## Neighbor remembers
Gina Macholl said Cooper was always laughing and smiling at the Little League field.

> I would see them down at the Little League field, part of that community down there. Watch him every day, always laughing and smiling, playing. It hits hard.
## Community support
The East Haven Academy PTO created a meal train and the school district offers support for affected students and staff.

> We just wanted to come by and show our support.
## Key takeaway

A 5-year-old boy died after being hit by a car while walking home from school in East Haven, Conn.