12-year-old dies after being hit by vehicle in D’Iberville

A 12-year-old boy died yesterday after he was hit trying to cross Lamey Bridge Road.

Harrison County Coroner Brian Switzer said Tristain Smith of Biloxi died at Merit Health just before 3 p.m. He was taken to the hospital after being hit by a vehicle on Lamey Bridge near the C-Store.

Switzer said Smith died of blunt force trauma.

D’Iberville Chief Shannon Nobles said Smith was with a group of friends who were trying to cross Lamey Bridge Road just after 2 p.m. when Smith was hit by a southbound vehicle.

Firefighters and a nurse who came upon the scene began life-saving measures, Nobles said. When medical personnel advised officers the child was severely injured, an officer took the child in his vehicle to the hospital, with the nurse and a firefighter continuing their efforts.

“Sadly, despite the efforts of all involved, the juvenile victim succumbed to the injuries sustained at the hospital; it’s a terrible tragedy,” Nobles said.

The incident is under investigation and the school the child attended has been notified.