A single mom was struck and killed by her own car while trying to save her 6-year-old son when her car was stolen with him inside, according to authorities and officials in Ohio.
Alexa Stakely, 29, worked for a school district as a speech and language pathologist and had a second job as a waitress, the Columbus Police Department said.
In this photo released by the Columbus Division of Police, Alexa Stakely is shown.
Columbus Division of Police
Just before 1:30 a.m. Thursday, after her waitress shift ended, Stakely went to pick up her 6-year-old from the babysitter’s house, police said.
Stakely put her sleeping child in her 2022 Honda SUV, which was parked outside the babysitter’s home, and then started the car, police said.
“She then realized she needed an item from the babysitter who she met just inside the front door,” police said in a statement. “As she returned to her vehicle it began to back out into the roadway. Stakely was seen running toward her Honda when she was struck and thrown onto the pavement.”
In this screen grab from a video, law enforcement officials investigate the crime scene after a mom died trying to save her son from a car thief, in Columbus, Ohio, on July 11, 2024.
WSYX
Stakely died from her injuries several hours later, police said.
Stakely’s Honda was “abandoned a short distance away” and the 6-year-old was found uninjured inside the car, police said.
“She died heroically while trying to save her 6-year-old son,” said a statement from Canal Winchester Schools, where Stakely was a speech and language therapist for a preschool program.
“Alexa was passionate about children and speech-language therapy. She was smart and compassionate, and she cared so much about helping children,” the district said.
“She was a great mom who was incredibly dedicated,” the district added.
No arrests have been made.
After Stakely was struck, two men were seen running past her as she lay hurt in the road, police said. They matched the descriptions of two of the men who were in a group of people looking into apartments earlier in the night, police said.
Authorities urge anyone with information to call the police department at 614-645-2558 or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-8477.
A mother’s instinct to protect her child is one of the strongest forces in the world. Unfortunately, this instinct led to a tragic end for one mother who was killed while attempting to rescue her 6-year-old from a stolen vehicle.
The incident occurred in a quiet suburban neighborhood, where the mother had left her car running with her child inside while she quickly ran into a convenience store. In the few minutes she was inside, a thief jumped into the car and drove off with the child still inside.
Upon realizing what had happened, the mother immediately sprang into action. She chased after the vehicle on foot, desperately trying to catch up and save her child. Tragically, her efforts were in vain as the thief sped away, ultimately causing a fatal accident that took the mother’s life.
This heartbreaking story serves as a reminder of the dangers of leaving vehicles unattended, even for just a moment. It also highlights the lengths that parents will go to in order to protect their children, even at the risk of their own lives.
In the aftermath of this tragedy, the community has come together to support the family and honor the memory of the brave mother who made the ultimate sacrifice for her child. Fundraisers have been organized, and a memorial has been set up at the scene of the accident to pay tribute to her selfless act of love.
As we mourn the loss of this mother, let us also take this opportunity to reflect on the importance of being vigilant and taking precautions to ensure the safety of our loved ones. May her sacrifice serve as a powerful reminder of the strength and love that exists within every parent, and may her memory live on as a testament to the bond between a mother and her child.
