Photos for Headline Surfer / TOP: Tucker Morgan Dockins, 1 1/2, shown with his beloved dog in the background, was tragically killed when he ran out of the house and chased the dog into the roadway where the toddler was struck by two motor vehicles on Wednesday evening, April 23, 2025, and died a short time later at Halifax Hospital in Daytona Beach, Florida. Left: The skid marks left behind are stark reminders of the tragic circumstances. The dog, far more elusive than a small child in traffic, was unhurt, Daytona Beach police said.
By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- A GoFundMe account has been set up for a Daytona Beach toddler killed in traffic chasing the family dog that escaped from the residence.
Here is a synopsis of what occurred at 8:21 p.m. Wednesday in the 2900 block of North Halifax Avenue near Plaza Boulevard:
Daytona Beach cops responded to multiple 9-1-1 calls of a small child hit by two motor vehicles after following the family dog that escaped from the residence and onto the 2900 block of North Halifax Avenue near Plaza Boulevard.
The dog was not injured, police said.
A 2003 Honda CR-V first struck the toddler, police said. That impact caused the little boy to enter the southbound lanes, where a 2012 Chevy Silverado then struck him.
Cops found him in the roadway with severe injuries. The toddler was transported by ambulance to Halifax Hospital with severe injuries, and he was pronounced dead shortly upon arrival by ER personnel.
The deceased toddler was identified in a GoFundMe account as Tucker Morgan Dockins, 1 1/2, (born on Sept. 18, 2023), which Sydney Cole, a friend of the family, set up.
Cole described Tucker as a "sweet, loving boy who always enjoyed being by his big sister's side. He had a special bond with his dog companion, who was his constant playmate and friend."
The GoFundMe organizer described the fundraising effort as a means of "reaching out to our community for support to arrange a private viewing and cremation for Tucker," adding, "the costs associated with these services are significant, and any contribution would be greatly appreciated. Your support will help us honor Tucker's memory in a meaningful way and provide a space for family and friends to say their goodbyes. This will also allow us to focus on healing and remembering the joy Tucker brought into our lives."
The goal was to raise $3,500, but it has already exceeded that by more than three times, at $10,961, from 201 donations secured online.
The donations range from $5 to $1,000. Two of the donors posted comments on the GoFundMe account for Tucker and his family.
Rebecca Boersma, who donated $500, posted: "Your sweet baby was born just 9 days after mine. I can’t even imagine what you’re going through. I hope this donation will help provide a beautiful service and give your family some space to grieve."
Marianne Burley, who donated $50, posted: There's nothing we can say to take away from your tremendous loss, but my mom and I want you to know that our hearts and thoughts are with you and your whole family. Rest in Peace, Tucker."
Sydney Cole's GoFundMe account narrative reinforced the explanation given earlier by Daytona Beach police as to how this situation unfolded: "Tragically, on the evening of April 23, 2025, Tucker's dog broke the front door handle, and Tucker followed the dog out of the house." Then the toddler stepped onto the roadway and directly into the line of traffic, where he was struck and killed.
Sydney Cole's GoFundMe account narrative reinforced the explanation given earlier by Daytona Beach police as to how this situation unfolded: "Tragically, on the evening of April 23, 2025, Tucker's dog broke the front door handle, and Tucker followed the dog out of the house." Then the toddler stepped onto the roadway and directly into the line of traffic, where he was struck and killed.
Daytona Beach Police have already preliminarily ruled this was a tragic accident.
"Preliminary investigation revealed that the child had exited their residence, following the family dog, which had escaped," Daytona Beach said in a press release. "While following the dog, the child entered oncoming traffic and was struck by a vehicle, followed by a second vehicle. Cops noted the drivers of both vehicles remained on scene.
William Rhodes, director of operations at Daytona Beach Police Department, was even more direct: "I don’t want to hold anybody accountable for what they did or didn’t do last night... "Obviously, those of us who are parents know that little kids are quick and fast."
Rhodes said the child’s father was working on a sprinkler system in the yard at the time. The drivers of the two vehicles involved remained on the scene and were fully cooperative, he said.
William Rhodes, director of operations at Daytona Beach Police Department, was even more direct: "I don’t want to hold anybody accountable for what they did or didn’t do last night...
"Obviously, those of us who are parents know that little kids are quick and fast." Rhodes said the child’s father was working on a sprinkler system in the yard at the time. The drivers of the two vehicles involved remained on the scene and were fully cooperative, he said.
Donate to GoFundMe Account:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-tuckers-memorial
Previously Reported Coverage:
BREAKING NEWS: Daytona Beach Cops: Toddler struck & killed by two vehicles chasing family dog that escaped from house and onto N. Halifax AvenuePublished: Thu, 04/24/2025 - 12:57
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