Tragedy after non-verbal autistic boy, 6, who didnt understand traffic ran across freeway

A 6-year-old boy from California with no understanding of traffic was tragically killed by a car after he escaped from home and ran across a freeway.

King Holguin, 6, left his familys San Jose apartment and darted across the third lane of northbound Interstate 280, south of Leland Avenue, when he was struck by a Nissan Altima on Friday night. The tragedy came just two weeks before his seventh birthday.

The child suffered from severe injuries and was pronounced dead shortly after being transported to a local hospital.

He got out in the middle of the night when everyone was asleep - locked the door behind him, left his iPad, Solis Sisneros, his primary daycare provider, told ABC 7 News.

He just went out, you know, she added. Everybody was looking for him, but wed never expect him to be on the freeway though. 

Holguin, who was autistic and non-verbal, managed to escape the safety of his own home just before 11pm when he ran across the Bay Area highway - an area just steps away from his front door on Parkmore Avenue.

Victoria Olivas, the childs mother, said that her son had only been outside for a few minutes before she noticed his absence.

Despite her best efforts at keeping her son safe, Holguin had a tendency of running away. He was drawn to the rain and Olivas believes that he wanted to play outside at the time.

King Holguin, 6, who is autistic and non-verbal,was killed by a car after he managed to escape his California home and run across the freeway

Holguin managed to escape his San Jose apartment - which was just steps away from an entrance of the freeway - before he was struck by a Nissan Altima as he darted across the third lane of northbound Interstate 280

He suffered from severe injuries and was pronounced dead shortly after being transported to a local hospital - just two weeks before his seventh birthday 

The family home, which is just steps away from an entrance of the parkway, is equipped with child locks, but Olivas described her son as a determined kid who had once even broken the windows to get out of the home.

Holguin, who was on the shoulder of the freeway, was fatally hit by a 36-year-old San Jose man as he ran across the third lane at 10.52pm, Fox 10 News reported.

The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner identified the victim as being the six-year-old boy later that night, The Sacramento Bee reported.

I wish I was there for him that night and I want to apologize to him, his father, who was not named, told ABC. I know hes better now.

The childs family, who are now wracked with guilt and grief, are hoping to get in touch with the driver to let him know that it was not his fault. They also want to share their sons story.

He was a good kid. Im sad that hes going to be gone really early, Lydia Holguin, the boys aunt, told KTVU News. He had so much life.

Holguin attended Bagby Elementary school where he enjoyed participating in Special Olympics.

He was looking forward to Christmas and his seventh birthday coming up shortly after on New Years Day.

Victoria Olivas, the childs mother, said that her son had no understanding of traffic and had only been outside for a few minutes before she realized he was gone 

Holguin had a tendency of running away - especially when drawn to rain - leading his mother to believe that he wanted to play outside at the time of the crash 

A memorial in his honor located near the scene of the accident continues to grow. It includes his favorite snacks and toys along with memories and letters from his friends at daycare piling up alongside the fence.

Lydia Holguin, the childs aunt, set up a GoFundMe page to help the family pay for the funeral service he deserves.

Our hearts are very heavy, we would do anything to get more time with him, the page read.

King was a very outgoing, energetic, adventurous, stubborn, loving boy who loved to play around all the time, it added. He had tons of energy. 

He is now resting in heaven with his grandmother who will take the best care of him. 

As of Wednesday morning the fundraiser had raised more than $26,000. Several in-person fundraisers are set to follow over the weekend.

The first will be on December 20 at 6pm at Willow Street and Carolyn Avenue in San Jose, where people will be able to enjoy cookies and hot cocoa while supporting the family, Fox News reported.

The second will take place at 1320 Willow Street in San Jose at 12pm the very next afternoon. The family are set to sell taco plates and pozole for $10 each along with $20 T-shirts.

A memorial near the scene of the accident is piled high with all of the childs favorite snacks and toys as well as letters and memories left by his classmates at daycare

The family started a GoFundMe page and have three more in-person fundraisers scheduled for the upcoming weekend to raise money for funeral expenses 

The tragic accident came after he managed to escape his home, despite the family putting child locks around the home to protect him

The last scheduled fundraiser will be on December 22 from 11-3pm at 1539 Willowgate Drive in San Jose. 

He meant so much to everybody, he really did, Cisneros, his caregiver, told ABC News. 

He touched so many peoples lives. He was a very special boy.

Fridays heartbreaking crash prompted a closure of the freeway for nearly an hour before lanes began to reopen shortly after midnight.

The crash is now being investigated, but California Highway Patrol noted that the driver of the car stayed at the scene while also adding that drugs and alcohol did not appear to be involved in any way, Fox News reported. 

I just want to hold him, his father told ABC News. I want him back, but I know he is in a better place.

He was always outgoing, loving and the house is quiet without him, he added. But I know everyone misses him and I miss him.