A father and his 1-year-old son died after they were hit by a car while crossing the street in Jacksonville, Fla. on May 16
Mitchell Patch was an elementary school math teacher, whose students “will miss him tremendously,” the principal said
Patch’s wife and family are “heartbroken,” the wife’s employer wrote on a GoFundMe page
A mom is grieving after her husband and 1-year-old son were killed while crossing the street in Jacksonville, Fla.
Mitchell Patch, an elementary school math teacher, was walking across Baymeadows Road with his son, Everett, when they were hit by a Honda Civic traveling eastbound at 8:30 p.m. local time on Friday, May 16. Emergency responders pronounced the father and child dead at the scene, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. The driver of the car was taken to a local hospital and is cooperating with officials. Officer Max Morel confirmed the names of the father and son and told PEOPLE the investigation is ongoing.
“Our hearts are with the family and friends of the man and his child,” the sheriff’s office said in the statement.
Duval County Public Schools, Patch’s employer, and the City of Jacksonville Medical Examiner’s Office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s requests for comment.
That evening, Patch attended a party at a restaurant. He was holding his toddler in his arms when he crossed the road, Morel confirmed.
“We were in the middle of a rush when it happened. Next thing you know, we just started seeing flashing lights. It started getting bigger. So we kind of figured something more intense happened,” Dylan Williams, manager at Wicked Barley Brewing Company, told local outlet WJXT.
“We had a large group of family members mourning,” he added. “It was very tragic.”
The fatal accident has renewed safety concerns for residents in the area, the outlet reported.
For Patch’s wife, Mary, it’s an “unimaginable” tragedy, her employer wrote in a GoFundMe created to cover funeral expenses. As of Wednesday, May 23, the page has raised more than $120,000, close to its $125,000 goal. The organizer did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
“This devastating loss has left her and her family heartbroken,” the employer wrote of the death of Mitchell and their son, who is identified as Everett.
Bayview Elementary, where Mitchell worked, sent a message to the school’s families from Principal Kelly York the day after the accident.
York’s message, later shared with WJXT, painted a deeply personal reflection of the legacy Mr. Patch leaves behind—one built on decades of care, commitment, and a quiet but powerful devotion to his students.
“We will all certainly remember Mr. Patch for his incredible commitment to students and to the teaching profession,” York wrote, emphasizing the impact he made far beyond the classroom. “He was a dedicated educator and a well-loved and respected member of our Brave family.”
She went on to acknowledge the emotional weight felt across the campus, noting that his passion for teaching touched countless lives over the years. From early mornings spent helping struggling students to the encouraging words he offered in the hallways, his influence is woven into the fabric of the school.
“Our sympathies go out to Mr. Patch’s family, friends, and our entire school community during this difficult time,” she continued. “I am deeply saddened, and I know the students, staff, and family members who knew Mr. Patch will miss him tremendously.”
York’s message serves not only as a formal statement but as a testament to a man who shaped young minds with patience, kindness, and unwavering dedication—reminding the community that his presence will be felt long after his absence.
