Family mourns 7-year-old killed in Baton Rouge crash, shares message for others

Kyion Jackson was killed while riding home from school with his grandmother when another driver swerved and hit them.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 3:50am

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An extreme close-up of a crushed toy car against a dark background, conveying the sudden and devastating impact of a fatal accident.A shattered toy car reflects the tragic loss of a young life in a preventable crash, underscoring the need for greater road safety and parental involvement.Baton Rouge Today

A Baton Rouge family is grieving the loss of 7-year-old Kyion Jackson, who was killed in a crash while riding home from school with his grandmother. Kyion's parents, Tyja and Corey Thomas Jr., are still trying to process the tragedy and are unsure how the crash happened or if anyone will face charges. They are urging other fathers to be more involved in their children's lives, reflecting on Corey's own past mistakes and regrets.

Why it matters

The loss of a young child in a tragic car crash is devastating for any community. This story highlights the importance of road safety, the impact of single-parent households, and the need for fathers to be more present in their children's lives, especially in high-risk areas like Baton Rouge which has seen an increase in traffic accidents involving children.

The details

According to the family, Kyion, a student at Port Allen Elementary, was traveling with his grandmother in late March when another driver swerved along Florida Boulevard and hit them. Kyion died from his injuries on March 26. His parents, Tyja and Corey Thomas Jr., are still trying to process the loss and are unsure of the exact circumstances of the crash or if anyone will face charges.

  • Kyion was killed in a crash in late March 2026.
  • Kyion died from his injuries on March 26, 2026.

The players

Kyion Jackson

A 7-year-old student at Port Allen Elementary who was killed in a car crash while riding home from school with his grandmother.

Tyja

Kyion's mother, who is grieving the loss of her son and trying to process the tragedy day by day.

Corey Thomas Jr.

Kyion's father, who expresses regret over not being more present in his son's life and urges other fathers to be more involved with their children.

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What they’re saying

“Anger, hurt, sad… sometimes I'm happy just thinking about him, but most of the time I'm sad. My kid is supposed to be here. That was my everything.”

— Tyja, Kyion's mother

“Certain situations could've been avoided if I would've been a better man in his world and as a father too.”

— Corey Thomas Jr., Kyion's father

“Love your kids. Make sure your kids are straight. Make sure you're there for them regardless of the situation. Just love them. Be there. That's all you can do.”

— Corey Thomas Jr., Kyion's father

What’s next

The family is still waiting to learn more details about the crash and whether anyone will face charges. They are also preparing to say their final goodbyes to Kyion.

The takeaway

This tragic story underscores the importance of road safety, the impact of single-parent households, and the need for fathers to be more involved in their children's lives, especially in high-risk areas like Baton Rouge. The family's message of love and remembrance for Kyion serves as a poignant reminder of the profound loss felt by those left behind.