A 15-year-old boy died Memorial Day in Salem after falling off a car hood and getting trapped underneath the car at Riverfront Park, Salem police said in a news release.
The boy was a student at West Salem High School, Salem-Keizer School District spokesman Aaron Harada said.
Salem police received a call about a person pinned under a vehicle around 3:30 a.m. May 31 and responded to the park’s south parking lot, the news release said.
Police said four teenage friends were driving through the parking lot. The 16-year-old driver stopped the vehicle, and the victim climbed onto the hood. The driver then drove forward, and the boy fell off the hood and was pinned under the vehicle, police said.
Another girl in the group called 911, while a fourth went to get assistance, police said.
The Salem Fire Department arrived and freed the boy. Paramedics transported him to Salem Health, where he died from his injuries, police said.
Because of the age of the victim and other teens involved, police said they would not release names. The Salem Police Traffic Team is investigating.
“West Salem High School administrators have spoken to staff, students and families; have offered their condolences and support to the family, and are honoring their respect for privacy,” Harada said in an email.
This article was updated with information from the Salem-Keizer School District.
-Rachel Alexander
