Loved ones hold vigil for North Fort Myers boy

NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla. — Family and friends held a neighborhood vigil Tuesday night for an 11-year-old boy who was hit and killed by a truck Sunday night on Slater Road.

Nathan Carroll, of North Fort Myers, was riding a bicycle when he was hit. He was trauma alerted to Lee Memorial Hospital, according to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.

He later succumbed to his injuries, according to LCSO. He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, but his parents say he did have a flashlight.

Todd Carroll, Nathan’s father, is heartbroken.

“He was a great kid,” Carroll said. “He was very selfless, he was very kind and always thinking about everybody else before himself.”

The months prior to Nathan’s death have already been difficult for the Carrolls.

A family friend, who wished to remain anonymous, said Nathan was recently given back to the family from the Department of Children and Families after one of the Carrolls’ sons called in a fake complaint.

“Totally unfounded,” the friend said. “They are good people raising seven children, now six.”

Those who cared for Nathan Carroll are now calling for lights to be installed on the pitch-black Slater Road.

“Especially with the bridge, people like to go faster to and from the bridge,” said neighbor William Bryson. “I am thinking some flashing red or yellow caution lights would be in order.”

Nathan Carroll’s body is scheduled to be cremated this weekend.

The truck driver who hit the boy stopped to help and was not found to be at fault.