TOLEDO, Ohio — A Toledo school community is mourning the loss of 11-year-old De’vonte Bailey, who was fatally struck by a car while riding his bike earlier this week.

On Friday, students, teachers and staff at Explorers Academy of Science and Technology, which he attended, held a balloon release in his honor.

For many at the school, the past several days have been especially difficult. Teacher Susan Fitzpatrick said it’s been hard helping students understand why their friend’s seat has been empty.

"The children kept saying that's De'vonte's chair, we can’t, don't sit there," Fitzpatrick said.

Fitzpatrick said this is the first time she’s ever lost a student.

"Dealing with loss is very difficult, trying to get children to understand loss that their friend is not going to come back ha

See Full Page