By Rina N. Risper
President and Publisher
The New Citizens Press
LANSING, MI — On Saturday, December 15, 2007, Kahlil Hoard was shopping for gifts for his siblings, mother and grandmother for Christmas with 50 other young boys.
Every year for the past 13 years, Black Men Incorporated of Greater Lansing (BMIGL) has taken young men identified by their school shopping. Kahlil was a student at Willow Elementary and was excited as he wrapped his gifts with his assigned BMIGL volunteer.
However, the holiday season took a turn for the worse. On the way to school on December 19, 2007, Kahlil was struck by an automobile in Lansing Township while crossing West Willow Street. Kahlil Hoard remained in a coma for 5 days and died on Christmas Eve.
As of the printing of this edition, the police report hasn’t been released because the Ingham County Prosecuting Attorney’s office is still reviewing the case.
A witness at the scene of the accident said, "It was a horrible accident. It was early in the morning and there are no sidewalks out there. It was also so dark at that time of morning. It was a shame."
According to the Michigan State Police Forensic Laboratory, the toxicology tests of the 22-year-old female driver was completed mid-March.
Kahlil’s family waits as they grapple with the loss of a family member who was so young.
Willow School is planning to plant a tree in Kahlil’s honor. A stone monument has been donated as well.
