Legend Jenkins Dies at 7 After Being Struck by Jeep: Gastonia Parents Charged With Involuntary Manslaughter Following Tragic May 27 Incident

GASTONIA, N.C. — A cloud of grief and outrage has settled over Gastonia following the tragic death of 7-year-old Legend Jenkins, who succumbed to his injuries just hours after being struck by a Jeep while walking near his home on May 27, 2025. As the community struggles to process the loss of a young life full of promise, prosecutors have filed involuntary manslaughter charges against his parents, Jessica Ivey and Samuele Jenkins, alleging that their negligence led to the fatal events of that afternoon.

The charges, announced two days after the incident, have intensified an already raw and emotional public discourse — one that now grapples not only with the death of a child, but with questions of accountability, parenting, and community responsibility.

A Walk That Should Have Been Safe

According to Gastonia police and eyewitness accounts, the fatal incident occurred shortly after 5:30 p.m. on a quiet residential road just blocks from the family’s home. Legend and his 10-year-old brother were returning home on foot from a nearby grocery store — a route familiar to the boys but, as prosecutors now argue, unsuitable for children traveling alone.

The boys had reportedly crossed a major intersection before proceeding along a sidewalk adjacent to a stretch of road with limited visibility. It was at this point that a Jeep, traveling eastbound, struck Legend as he reportedly attempted to cross the road ahead of his older sibling.

The impact threw the small boy several feet. Witnesses rushed to help, some performing CPR until paramedics arrived. Legend was transported to CaroMont Regional Medical Center, where doctors fought to save his life. He died later that evening from traumatic injuries.

A City in Mourning

News of Legend’s death rippled quickly through Gastonia, a close-knit community where the pain of a child’s loss is deeply personal. A small memorial grew at the site of the accident, with neighbors leaving teddy bears, candles, and handwritten notes of love and sorrow.

“He was just a baby,” said one neighbor, holding back tears. “No child should die this way. No parent should ever have to bury their child.”

Legend was remembered by neighbors and family friends as a vibrant and imaginative boy — energetic, curious, and full of life. He loved superheroes, especially Spider-Man, and was known for his spontaneous dancing and wide, infectious smile. His teacher from this past school year described him as a “ray of light” in the classroom.

“He was so smart, and he had this deep kindness for others,” she said. “He’d help other kids tie their shoes, carry their books — he was a little gentleman in every way.”

Legal Charges and Allegations of Negligence

On May 29, Gastonia police announced that they had arrested Jessica Ivey and Samuele Jenkins, charging both with involuntary manslaughter and child neglect. The decision came after an investigation revealed that the couple had allegedly sent Legend and his 10-year-old brother to the store alone, without adult supervision or adequate precautions.

According to court documents, the children were unsupervised for an extended period, crossing multiple intersections and walking on roadways with known traffic hazards. Prosecutors allege that the parents’ decision to allow the boys to navigate the route on foot constituted a “reckless disregard for the child’s safety.”

“These charges are not about vengeance,” said a representative from the Gaston County District Attorney’s Office. “They are about accountability. The law is clear: parents have a legal and moral responsibility to protect their children from harm. When that duty is abdicated, and tragedy follows, we must act.”

Both Ivey and Jenkins were booked into Gaston County Jail and held on bond. It is currently unclear whether they have retained legal counsel or entered a plea.

A Divided Community Response

Reactions to the arrests have been mixed, revealing painful divides in public sentiment.

Some residents believe the charges are justified and necessary, calling the parents’ decision negligent and avoidable.

“That child had no business crossing streets alone at that age,” said one local mother. “This wasn’t just a tragic accident. It was preventable.”

Others, however, expressed concern that the legal system is too quick to criminalize parental mistakes — particularly in marginalized or low-income communities where resources, childcare, and safe infrastructure may be lacking.

“Yes, it was a mistake — a heartbreaking one,” said a community advocate. “But charging the parents while they’re mourning their son? That feels cruel. We need to support families, not destroy them further.”

Infrastructure and Safety Concerns

Legend’s death has sparked renewed criticism of pedestrian safety and child protection infrastructure in Gastonia, particularly in working-class neighborhoods.

Residents have long complained about a lack of sidewalks, poor lighting, and fast-moving traffic in areas where many children walk to and from schools, parks, and stores.

“There’s no crossing guard, no stop sign, no anything on that road,” said a local resident. “We’ve been asking for traffic calming measures for years, and nothing ever changes — until a child dies.”

City officials have promised to revisit the safety of the area where the crash occurred. The Gastonia Department of Transportation has scheduled a public forum next week to gather feedback and explore potential improvements, including:

• Installing speed bumps and pedestrian crossing signs
• Expanding sidewalks and protective barriers
• Adding traffic lights or four-way stops at high-risk intersections

A Life Interrupted

Legend Jenkins was just weeks away from completing the first grade. He had recently received a classroom award for his curiosity and kindness, and he had told his teacher that he wanted to be a firefighter when he grew up — “so I can help people,” he said.

At home, Legend was the youngest of three siblings and known for making everyone laugh, especially his older brother, who was with him during the tragic incident.

“They were best friends,” said a family friend. “You never saw one without the other. That poor boy is going to carry this forever.”

His brother, though physically unharmed, is receiving counseling and grief support through local services. School administrators have assured the family that trauma-informed resources will remain available for as long as needed.

Memorial and Funeral Arrangements

A public memorial service for Legend Jenkins will be held at Unity Community Church on Saturday, June 8, followed by a candlelight vigil at the site of the accident later that evening. The family has requested that attendees wear red and blue — Legend’s favorite colors — in his honor.

A GoFundMe campaign established to assist with funeral expenses and grief support services surpassed its initial goal within 48 hours, with donations pouring in from across the state.

“We are overwhelmed by the love being shown for our little boy,” wrote a family spokesperson. “Legend was our light. We are shattered, but your kindness is helping us begin to heal.”

The Unseen Toll

Behind the headlines and legal proceedings lies the deeper, quieter heartbreak of a community trying to come to terms with a devastating loss. Counselors report that several children at Legend’s school have been struggling to process the news, many asking questions that have no simple answers.

“Why did he have to go?” one student reportedly asked a teacher. “Can I still walk home too?”

The school district has increased counseling staff for the remainder of the year and is holding small group sessions for students impacted by the incident.

What Comes Next

As the legal process unfolds, the community remains in limbo — torn between grief, blame, and the desire for change. Both the tragedy and the charges have raised broader societal questions: What defines neglect? What supports do families need? And what can be done to ensure that no other child is lost to such preventable circumstances?

Whether the courts will ultimately find Jessica Ivey and Samuele Jenkins legally culpable remains to be seen. But in the meantime, the human cost is undeniable — and permanent.

Legend Jenkins, a 7-year-old boy with a boundless imagination and an even bigger heart, is gone.

In Loving Memory

Legend’s short life was filled with laughter, wonder, and love. He chased butterflies, danced in the living room, and believed that heroes wore capes — and sometimes, firefighter helmets.

He will never get to grow up. He’ll never play another game of tag, write another school story, or hug his mother goodnight. But his name, his light, and his story will live on in every effort to make streets safer, families stronger, and communities more compassionate.

Legend Jenkins. You mattered. You were loved. And you will never be forgotten.