‘The happiest little boy’: Family remembers 7-year-old who died in Dauphin Island crash

DAUPHIN ISLAND, Ala. (WALA) - An Arkansas family vacationing to Dauphin Island is in the hospital with broken bones and broken hearts.

For the first time, FOX10 News is hearing from the sister of the 7-year-old boy who died on the Dauphin Island bridge in a head-on collision on Monday. Sixty-one-year-old Mary Hawkins also died and several others were injured.

“As far as the island community, it affects us all... you know, when these kinds of things happen,” said Jeff Collier, Mayor of Dauphin Island. Mayor Collier said even before the scene was cleared, residents on the island were already asking how they could help.

“Even shortly after the event and once people started understanding the severity of it, I had multiple people reach out to me- residents, business owners saying ‘hey Mayor, let us know how we can help,” he added.

In the meantime, Marleigh Hocott’s world came to a standstill when she learned her 7-year-old brother, Logan, died on scene. She says her family was vacationing to Dauphin Island to celebrate Logan’s birthday which is this Friday.

“Logan was so energetic and the happiest little boy,” said Marleigh. “You couldn’t meet him and not love him. He loved horses, and he loved dancing. He was loved and will be missed.”

And that’s not all. Marleigh says her mother and her mom’s boyfriend remain in the ICU at University Hospital. She says her mom is now awake in the ICU. Marleigh says her brother, Adin, has since been discharged from the hospital in a neck brace.

Meanwhile, Marleigh says she’s grateful for the community’s steadfast support.

“The support of the community has been crazy. The Go Fund Me has reached $30,000 dollars although it’s barely scratching the surface of what’s needed. All of the hospital bills are going to pile up as well as our personal bills while we’re stuck in Mobile. I appreciate everything. Just keep praying and helping,” she said.

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