A South Jersey Family Needs Help After Tragedy

A family friend of Jayden Barger, the 7-year-old who died on Sunday after being hit by a car while riding a mini-bike in Atlantic City, has started a fundraising campaign to help pay for the boy's funeral expenses.

According to GoFundMe, created by Ranota Rodesky, "this fundraiser is for funeral expenses that need to be paid by Friday." The sadness wrapped around that sentence is absolutely heartbreaking.

The smiling little boy holding the crab in the photo is gone. But the family is still under pressure to find enough money by Friday to bury him.

I can't stop myself from asking the questions that all parents must be asking.

How could this happen?

How can his parents get through the day after something like this?

Why was this little boy riding a gas-powered vehicle on the streets of Atlantic City?

How is the driver of the car that accidentally hit Jayden at Massachusetts and Melrose Avenues on Sunday -- and then stayed on the scene able to cope with this reality?

What do the other kids -- Jayden's freinds in his Pleasantville school think about his death?

A letter from the school has been sent home to students' parents. Psychological professionals were made available for any child in need.

Will the family make the financial deadline for funeral expenses before Friday, and what happens if they don't?

The sadness is overwhelming.

Jayden's Cause of Death

According to news reports, Jayden Barger died of a brain injury after being airlifted to Cooper University Hospital.

Lisa Barger told a reporter that everything has been taken from her. Her only son is gone at 7-years-old. My most profound condolences to Jayden's mom.

As of Tuesday evening, over $15,000 of the $20,000 goal had been donated to Jayden's GoFundMe.