PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) -- The family of a 5-year-old boy who was struck and killed by a van while walking to school in Riverdale last year has filed a wrongful death lawsuit alleging that multiple defendants, including the county, contributed to his death. On the morning of Nov. 20, 2023, 5-year-old Sky Sosa and 10-year-old Shalom Mbah were walking in a crosswalk at an intersection near Riverdale Elementary School with a man when a van, driven by Olga Lugo Jimenez, struck them. The children were both rushed to the hospital, where they died. The man, identified in the lawsuit as Sky's father, was also hit but sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Jimenez, who was reportedly driving the van to take children to the elementary school, was making a left turn when she hit the children. In June of 2024, she was indicted on charges of criminally negligent manslaughter and causing serious physical injury/death of a vulnerable individual while operating a motor vehicle. Families of elementary school students killed in Maryland van crash grieving The lawsuit, filed on behalf of Sky's mother (Laura Palacious) against Jimenez, the owner of the van (Ruth Mashell Santos), Prince George's County and the Prince George's County Board of Education, cites systemic failures as a significant contributor to Sky's death. Specifically, the lawsuit alleges that the Prince George's County Board of Education failed to provide a crossing guard at the bustling intersection, which remained unprotected for months after the position became vacant, "despite knowing the risks." The complaint also asserts that "with at least 83 crossing guard positions unfilled and interviews delayed until December 2023, students were left vulnerable to serious danger when traveling to school." "This tragedy could have been prevented if better choices had been made,” said Daniel Cohen, an attorney at Cuneo Gilbert & LaDuca representing the Sosa family. “The driver’s actions, combined with the school’s lack of a crossing guard, led to a heartbreaking tragedy and the loss of Sky. While nothing can bring Sky back, we are seeking justice for his family. We hope that this serves as a wake-up call to drivers around school zones and for the school [to] prioritize student safety.”  The suit also accuses the county of failures in emergency response procedures and traffic safety, claiming it took the Prince George's County Fire and Medical Services Department roughly 30 minutes to arrive on the scene. “Sky lit up our world with his presence. His giggles and hugs every morning were the sweetest start to our day,” said Laura Palacios, Sky’s mother. “He made our house feel like home. Now, it is quiet and empty. We miss him every day.”