This story has been updated with additional information
A 9-year-old Green who died April 17 after being hit by a vehicle is being remembered as an outgoing boy with the ability to talk with anyone.
Samuel “Sam” Rife was the son of The Rev. J. Harlen Rife, pastor of the Greensburg United Methodist Church, and his wife, Madeline.
Rev. Rife described his son as “very outgoing.”
“I’m a pastor, so my job involves socializing and moving through the room,” he said. “I could not hold a candle to Sam. He could walk up to adults and kids. He could talk to anybody. He was a natural performer and storyteller. He loved military history. Would read something and then go and tell you all about it.”
Neighbors step up to try to help shortly after accident
According to the Summit County Sheriff’s office, deputies and members from Green’s fire department responded at around 4:30 p.m. to reports of a child that had been struck by a vehicle on Peachwood Way, near the Rife’s house. A 2025 Jeep Wrangler had been traveling on Peachwood Way when Sam ran into the street and was subsequently struck by the vehicle.
The child was transported to Akron Children’s Hospital by the Green Fire Department and was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
Rev. Rife said that he hadn’t been home at the time, but was with his daughter, 7-year-old Marta, at a friend’s house. Madeline said she was in the house so she didn’t see the accident, but she heard what happened.
“I went running outside,” Madeline Rife said. “I didn’t have my cell phone on me. One of my neighbors called 911 and helped with the first CPR attempts.”
Madeline added that Sam was playing baseball with a friend in their yard before the crash.
Several neighbors and passers-by stopped to help, including a second neighbor who also attempted CPR, Rev. Rife said.
“We even had a neighbor try to reroute an ice cream truck so they could keep the area clear,” Madeline Rife added.
The driver of the Jeep was identified as an 81-year-old male from Green, according to the Summit County Sheriff’s office. Neither speed nor impairment appear to be a factor.
The Summit County Sheriff’s office stated in a media release sent Sunday that the crash remains under investigation by the Summit Metro Crash Response Team. Charges are pending the outcome of the investigation.
“Our hearts also go out to the driver,” Rev. Rife said. “From what we understand, this was a really unfortunate accident. We understand they were devastated as well. We are still processing things, but we hope to meet with them.”
Sam Rife and family known for community work, helping others
Yeargin called the family “a pillar of the community” and called Samuel’s death “unfathomable.”
“We are heartbroken,” Yeargin said. “The entire community is heartbroken for the Rifes. As a community we are used to coming together for joys, and its critical to come together in support for grief. We can’t say anything to take away the pain. But everyone at the vigil will have had their own relationship with Samuel, as a teacher, neighbor, friend, a member of a baseball team. Everyone is grieving in their own special way.”
Yeargin said the family has been actively involved with the Methodist church’s Green Good Neighbors program, which helps provide food and clothing for those in need, as well as the Bed Brigade, which primarily builds beds for children who do not have a bed of their own.
A Go Fund Me was started to in memory of Sam. As of Sunday afternoon, $5,250 of the $9,000 goal has been raised.
“Per the family wishes we will be donating to support Family Support Specialists at Green City Schools in memory of Sam Rife,” stated Mandy Prellwitz on the GoFundMe site. “Sam was a passionate supporter of food security for all and volunteered at local food distributions in Akron and Canton. Honor the FSS program at Green, which is doing great work with our neighbors and family.”
Sam Rife described as kind, outgoing
Madeline said that one of her former neighbors in the Cleveland area called her son “Mr. Mayor,” adding that Sam, even when he was 2, would go up to people and shake their hands.
Sam was also very athletic, Rev. Rife said — a trait that did not come from dad, he added. He loved playing baseball, soccer and had recently started learning Taekwondo. He also loved being outdoors.
“Together we visited every single Metro Park,” Rev. Rife said. “We went on the hiking sprees. We climbed on stuff, would go on patrols, get muddy, all that sort of good stuff. He was passionate about everything.”
Another thing Sam was passionate about was helping people, Rev. Rife said. “As the son of a pastor, he was exposed to people in need at a young age.” His son often helped with food distribution and the Bed Brigade. “Sam was really passionate about people who were unhoused or who was hungry.”
Madeline said she was grateful for the community and the schools for their support.
Sam was a third grader at Green Elementary School, and the school was open earlier today with counselors available. The staff also invited younger sister Marta in the building to see the teachers and staff before school resumed Monday. Many people have stopped by, she said, “with food and with hugs.”
She credited the deputies with the Summit County Sheriff’s Office and the first responders for their assistance as well.
“This is one of the worst possible moments in our lives, but we feel very well taken care of,” Madeline said.
Visiting hours, services set
The family will have visiting hours at the Hopkins Lawver Funeral Home at 3553 Northdale St. N.W. in Uniontown on Friday, April 24, from 4 to 7 p.m. There also will be visiting hours at the Greensburg United Methodist Church, 2161 Greensburg Road in North Canton on Saturday, April 25, from 9 to 11 a.m., with services starting at 11 a.m.
Reporter April Helms can be reached at ahelms@thebeaconjournal.com
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: ‘Heartbroken’ Green parents remember son killed in vehicle accident
Reporting by April Helms, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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