MARION COUNTY — The Marion County Coroner’s Office is investigating the death of an 8-year-old Iuka boy, who was struck by a vehicle Tuesday night on US Route 50, in front of his family’s home.

Initial information indicates that the boy, Matthew, the oldest child of Shawn Lindsey and Laura Carpenter, was profoundly autistic, and had gone outside without his parents’ knowledge.

It is not known what the boy was doing in the roadway when he was struck, and it was not his nature to go outside alone.  The home is just east of the Woodlawn Church, east of Iuka.

Matthew was found lying in the roadside ditch by first responders, who initiated CPR.  EMS personnel continued resuscitation efforts enroute to Salem Township Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased shortly thereafter.

Coroner Troy Cannon says that Matthew died instantly from blunt force trauma to the head and torso.

Cannon thanked the Iuka Fire Protection Districtl, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Marion County ESDA, the Illinois State Police Crash Reconstruction Unit, Marion County EMS, the Emergency Department team at the Salem Township Hospital, and Larry Rogers and Rich Crouse for assisting with the incident, the investigation, and are assisting the family through the tragic events of the evening.

The Rogers/Atkins Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.