The incident happened shortly before 10 a.m. in the 300 block of North Detroit Street.
Witnesses told police the boys tried to cross the street in an area north of the East Newell Street intersection. Witnesses said the boys were not in a marked crosswalk and there was heavy vehicle traffic prior to the crash.
Fire Chief John Esch said the driver did not have time to stop and avoid the impact.
“They were going across the street so they could go up two or three houses to their friend’s house up the street,” Esch said.
Colton was a second grader at West Liberty Salem Elementary School. The district is on spring break this week.
Esch said the police department chaplain responded and provided assistance in comforting the victim’s brother and the driver.
West Liberty Fire and the Logan County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the scene and provided assistance.
Esch said the crash remains under investigation, but no criminal charges will be filed.
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