Boy struck by car in Sunny Isles by red-light runner declared brain-dead

SUNNY ISLES BEACH, Fla. ā€“ The family of an 11-year-old boy hit by a car two weeks ago say his injures are too severe to save him after doctors have declared him brain-dead.

Anthony Reznik was crossing the street in a marked walk near 300 Sunny Isles Boulevard on Feb. 10 when a car ran a red light and hit him while he was crossing the street with his older sister. His mother said the two were crossing the street to go to the CVS store across the street from where they live.

He was airlifted to Joe DiMaggio Childrenā€™s Hospital suffering from head injuries in critical condition.

Anthonyā€™s parents said he would have turned 12 in a few months and that he was an incredible athlete. On Wednesday, doctors said that the boy was brain-dead.

ā€œEvery single day, we were hoping so much, we never lost hope,ā€ Inna Trakhtenberg, Anthonyā€™s mother, said.

ā€œEven though he lived a very short life, his death made a huge impact for so many people,ā€ Mark Reznik, Anthonyā€™s father, said.

Before he was to be taken off of life support, his parents made one more decision ā€” to help save the lives of other children.

ā€œWe decided that this healthy boy can help and save lives of other kids . . . it looks like seven lives and it is very important for our daughter, his older sister as well, because she sees him as a hero,ā€ Reznik said.

ā€œEven with Anthony going to a different world, weā€™re still helping people and Iā€™m proud of it,ā€ Trakhtenberg said. ā€œI guess heā€™s a miracle, but somewhere else.ā€

The couple say they are numb having just had one more chance to say goodbye to their son. ā€œItā€™s not even pain,ā€ Trakhtenberg said. ā€œI thank God for the feeling of numbness, because if it werenā€™t for numbness, no words can describe.ā€

Local 10 went to the scene Wednesday night and took video at the same crosswalk. In about a half hour, we saw 6 cars run the same red light.

City leaders acknowledged that it is a confusing spot for drivers, but they said they are going to be cracking down on those who arenā€™t following the rules.

A memorial near the scene of the tragedy continues to grow for the boy. On Wednesday night, flowers and cards lined the area.

ā€œItā€™s just unfortunate that someone was reckless driving, on a solid red,ā€ Reznik said.

The driver who hit the boy remained at the scene the night of the accident police said. No charges have been filed at this point, however the crash is still under investigation.

A petition has gathered nearly 2,500 signatures seeking to rename Sunny Isles Boulevard to Anthony Reznik Boulevard in memory of the 11-year-old boy. The Rezniks said it was started by someone they donā€™t even know.