“I just want people to be aware of what’s behind your vehicle,” Paula Couch said in response to her son's tragic death
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NEED TO KNOW
- Olyver “Ollie” Couch, 2, was killed in the driveway of his family’s home
- The toddler was playing in the driveway of the Marion County, Fla., property on Tuesday, Feb. 10
- While he was outside, a family friend was driving away from the home and ran the boy over
A 2-year-old boy was tragically killed in the driveway of his family’s home in Marion County, Fla., on Tuesday, Feb. 10.
Olyver “Ollie” Couch was playing in the driveway of his family’s home when he was struck by a car that was operated by a family friend. Olyver’s mother, Paula Couch, told WCJB that the friend was unaware that Olyver was playing behind the car when he was leaving the home.
“I just want people to be aware of what’s behind your vehicle,” Paula told the outlet. “Just look, even if you think you already looked, just look again, get out and check, just check the wheel wells, check all of it, because they may be already crouched down playing, pay attention, just check.”
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His father, Michael, reiterated the sentiment to Fox 35, saying, "Everybody just needs to pay attention. Walk behind your car. Look. It don't matter how many times it takes."
“She lives for her kids, they’re her everything, she’s the best mom, she provides for them, she works her butt off for those kids," Alecia Thomas, a friend of Olyver's mother, said of Paula's devotion to her children.
“I can’t even describe the pain she’s going through,” Thomas said.
Paula told Fox 35, "He will forever be two.” Olyver was the youngest of four brothers, who are 4, 7 and 12 years old, according to a GoFundMe page.
The fundraiser was created to help the family with unexpected funeral costs.
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