Family mourns 6-year-old struck and killed by pickup truck, will share his story with community

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Six-year-old Ryan J. Grantham died after being struck by a pickup truck around 2:15 p.m. Friday on Thurston Road.

Rochester Police Lt. Greg Bello said the child died at Strong Memorial Hospital after being struck by an Orkin truck near the intersection with Sawyer Street.

“My phone kept ringing back to back, and my son called, and then my daughter called, and they said that he had been hit, not knowing it was as bad as it was,” Ryan’s grandmother Venita Brown said.

When Brown found out her grandson had died, she broke down but said that she will be there for her family while sharing her grandson’s story with the community.

“He’s a smart young man. He was actually in the first grade. He was going to be jumped from the first grade to third grade because his reading ability was very good,” Brown said.

Police found Ryan with severe injuries lying in the middle of Thurston Road near Sawyer Street after being hit by an Orkin truck.

Ryan was rushed to the hospital, where he died.

The driver stayed at the scene and is cooperating with police.

While police have not said anything about speed being a factor in the case, neighbors like Jacqueline Griffin said something needs to be done to stop drivers from speeding.

“This street has always had a lot of traffic and it’s always been busy. With a child’s life being taken like it has been today, I think it’s time for them to put stop signs in to prevent this from happening again,” Griffin said.

Words that won’t bring back Ryan Grantham, but a tragedy Brown hopes the community will remember heading into summer.

“Watch your kids. because he was only going across the street to the store to get snacks. and he lost his life trying to get snacks. But keep your kids close. Keep your eye on them. Love them,” Brown said.

Police are interviewing several witnesses and reviewing video footage from area businesses as part of their investigation.