Family remembers 8-year-old killed in hit-and-run crash

PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) - The family of 8-year-old Buddha Alvarez is devastated over losing him in a horrific crash.

"This is just a major, major tragedy. Something that we can't get over," said his uncle Jose Alvarez. "Buddha he was a little angel. He was a little man, basically."

READ MORE: Man charged in crash that killed 8-year-old boy in Northeast Philadelphia

Buddha died Wednesday of last week after police say a driver hit the car he and his father Efrain were in. The little boy later died at the hospital where his dad remains in critical condition. FOX 29's Shawnette Wilson talked to his uncles outside Temple Hospital.

"He was just a blessing. He was good at skateboarding and boxing. He went to church every Sunday and forced everybody to go to church every Sunday. He was just a little kid of god," said Jose.

Buddha was a saint. He regularly went with his grandmother Wanda and his uncles to feed and clothe the homeless with the organization she co-founded called Mothers Mission. Buddha would save his allowance to buy candy to give to the homeless too. FOX 29 covered the group feeding the homeless in Kensington on Thanksgiving Day. There's Buddha helping.

"He never was disgusted of any person in the streets. He was always like why and how can we get them going? How can we help? They're cold let's go bring them blankets," said Jose.

Buddha's father was a single dad but two weeks before he died he allowed him to meet his mom for the first time.

"That was one of his Christmas gifts to meet his mom. He finally meets him mom and two weeks later he's gone," said Jose.

Buddha's father suffered serious injuries, including a hematoma on his side and a broken pelvis but the pain of losing his son is the worst.

"It hurts. Nobody knows what it is to lose a child except him," said his uncle Jaimie who went on to say, "He's strong. My brother has a really good poker face. He's strong-hearted but he feels it."

Buddha's funeral is happening this Friday. The burial is Saturday. The family also plans to hold a car meet and ride out because of his love of cars.