A Clyde-Savannah student is dead following a crash Thursday night.

Police say it happened in the village of Clyde at the corner of Lock Street and West Dezeng Street. First responders were dispatched to the scene for a report of a crash between a vehicle and a bicycle.

The victim, Ayden Atkinson, 13, was treated at the scene and then transported to Newark-Wayne Community Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Police say a woman was driving the car that struck Ayden, and no one else was as in the vehicle. While witnesses say she fled the scene on foot, police will not release more details until they learn more from their investigation.

The Clyde-Savannah Central School District released a statement addressing the tragedy:

"Our school community is grieving and we extend our heartfelt condolences and sympathy to our community, family and friends.

"Today, our district’s top priority will be supporting the needs of our students and staff.  Our TIG (Trauma, Illness and Grief) team (including TIG representatives from area component districts) will be available to provide counseling and care for all students and staff. As our district moves forward, we will continue to focus on the needs of our students and ensure all necessary supports are provided."

Atkinson and a friend, Camren Clark, were both on their bicycles right next to each other just before 7 p.m. Thursday - when suddenly a car hit Ayden.

The day after Ayden died, Camren returned to the scene bringing this teddy bear.

"Because he deserves something and I brought two bears for him and I'm just not happy," Camren said.

Camren described the scene of the crash.

"So me and him were riding down the hill and we were both and I let him in front of me and I was inches away from him when he got hit and he tried to stop," Camren said. "He put his foot on the ground and his shoe came off and he tried to stop and the girl hit him in the bike and the bike went over there and then the car ran him over."

"Ayden, I love him. I'll see you when it's my time to go up there buddy," said Ayden's father, Scott Atkinson. 

Scott is still in shock and can hardly put his thoughts into words.

"I just thank everybody for all the support you're giving us," he said. "I'm not one for talking, so I really don't know what to say."

"We have a lot of work to do and I will not rush. We're going to make sure we do this correctly and appropriately," said officer Jeffrey Shields of the Clyde Police Department.

In the meantime - family and friends describe him as a funny, athletic youngster.

"He's a good kid. Everyone loved him. He was well loved by everybody. He was well looked out for. He had a lot of friends and loved to play sports, Playstation. He's just a great All-American kid," said his father. 

The Clyde Savannah community is tight-knit and supportive.

"This community, they're pretty powerful. I'm pretty proud of this town. When bad things happen, they tend to step up," said Shields.

The district has made grief counseling available at the high school. More information on counseling services can be found here.