Police: Teen bringing cat home is killed when hit by van

LYSANDER, N.Y. – New York State Police say a 13-year-old boy was bringing his cat home when he was struck by a van and killed.

Police say Lucas Delong and a 12-year-old friend were walking on the shoulder of a road to the YMCA near the teen’s Lysander home in central New York on Tuesday when Lucas noticed that his family’s cat had followed him.

Troopers say the teen picked up the cat, turned around to head back home but stepped into the road and was struck by a passing minivan. He later died from his injuries at a Syracuse hospital.

Police say that witnesses to the accident and video surveillance from the YMCA indicate the minivan driver had no time to react after Lucas suddenly walked into the driving lane.