Community in mourning after boy struck by vehicle while getting off school bus dies

Dante Caranci, 7, died after being hit by a car while getting off the bus on Dec. 16 2024. (Source: O'Neil Funeral Home)

The Lambeth and area community is in mourning after learning a young boy passed away after being struck by a vehicle while getting off his school bus Monday afternoon.

“Dante was a joyful radiant child that brought joy to everyone around him,” reads his obituary on the O’Neil Funeral Home web page

Dante Adriano Caranci, 7, was the son of Stefano and Jacqueline Caranci, and brother to Vincenzo.

A member of Lambeth Lancers Minor Hockey, the association said in a social media post, “Dante was a proud member of our U9MD2 team and will be greatly missed.”

It also urged supporters to put their hockey sticks outside their front door to show support for Dante’s family.

He attended Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School in Delaware. The London District Catholic School Board chose not to issue a statement, citing respect for the family’s wish for privacy. However, there has been no shortage of condolence messages from within the school community.

Emily Jane posted on Facebook, “The LDCSB is a tight-knit community, and colleagues, students, and families have all been reeling from this devastating news. In the coming days and weeks, please keep all of those impacted and heartbroken by this tragic loss in your prayers.”

Ashley Marie posted to Facebook that her heart is broken for the Caranci family. “Dante’s smile will be greatly missed in our classroom,” she wrote.

According to London police, shortly after 4:00 Monday afternoon, emergency crews responded to a serious collision involving a pedestrian at Longwoods Road and Murray Road in southwest London. All drivers remained at the scene. Caranci, was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries. He died the next day.

“You know with any fatal motor vehicle collision, that takes its toll on not only the families that are involved, and the communities that surrounds those families, but also on emergency personnel,” explained London Police Const. Matt Dawson. “And you know in this unfortunate circumstance, it’s no different, our thoughts are with the family and the community that surrounds that family, as well as all emergency personnel in the situation,” he added.

Police have released few details about the crash at this time, and Dawson says the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with dashcam or security video from the area of Longwoods Road and Murray Road at the time of the crash is asked to contact police at [phone] or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Visitation for Dante takes place at O’Neil Funeral Home, 350 William St., London on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024 from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. Visitors are being asked to wear their hockey jerseys for Dante.

The funeral service take place Saturday. An online fundraiser has also been established for the Caranci family.