Friends raise $48K for family of 11-year-old killed while riding his bike in Cobb

Investigators said Blake Mahoney was coming around a curve when he crashed his bicycle into a car.

Credit: Channel 2 Action News

Credit: Channel 2 Action News

Investigators said Blake Mahoney was coming around a curve when he crashed his bicycle into a car.

Days after an 11-year-old boy was hit by a car and killed while riding his bicycle, an east Cobb County community is finding ways to rally around his family.

Friends, teachers and classmates of Blake Mahoney donated more than $48,000 to a GoFundMe account to extend support to his family following his death, Channel 2 Action News reported.

Blake was a fifth grade student at Eastvalley Elementary School in Marietta, Channel 2 reported, and had dreams of being a professional baseball player.

On Sunday, the 11-year-old was killed while riding his bike near his home on Lucky Drive, AJC.com previously reported. Investigators said Blake was coming around a sharp curve in the neighborhood when he crashed into a car that was heading in the opposite direction.

The boy was taken to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

“It was absolutely devastating and tragic,” Eastvalley teacher Jennifer Swafford told Channel 2. “And when we all heard the news, literally, it took our breath away. We all gasped.”

Swafford told the news station Blake was in her class and that she worked alongside Blake’s mother, Dawn, who is a nurse at the school.

Since Blake’s death occurred during a statewide shelter-in-place order due to the coronavirus, that has posed hardships for the family dealing with the tragedy and making funeral plans.

“It’s just surreal,” Swafford said. “And that we can’t go hug her, our school nurse, and tell her that we are here and love her. That’s what is hard.”

RELATED: 2 wrecks kill motorcyclist, 11-year-old boy in Cobb

Swafford started the GoFundMe to help Blake's family.

“We all need to have that time of togetherness,” Swafford said. “And show them how a huge community loves Blake and really cared for him. He was a great, great kid.”

“Rest in peace sweet Blake,” the page said. “Fly high among the angels and enjoy playing baseball in heaven.”

The wreck is still under investigation, but Cobb County police said Wednesday that no charges are forthcoming.

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