A two car crash in the Halifax area has claimed the life of a 5-year-old boy.

The boy, and his 8-year-old brother, were in their father’s SUV, when a pick up truck crossed the centre line and collided with their vehicle.

The two drivers weren’t hurt.  The 8-year-old was taken to hospital, but is expected to make a full recovery.

Today, debris litters the shoulder and ditch of the Timberlea Village Parkway, leaving a tragic reminder to local residents of a life cut short. 

“This so easily could have happened to the car ahead of me,” says resident Vicki Parker, who drove by the collision shortly after it had happened. “This could have happened to me.”

It’s a feeling shared by many in Timberlea today.

“It could be one of your own,” adds resident Darryl Coffey. “You never know so it’s very unfortunate.”

The little boy was a grade primary student. A school psychologist was on hand today to help students cope with their classmate’s death, and a letter was sent to parents informing them of the news.

The principal is encouraging parents to speak with their children about the tragic death. He says support is available at the school for students who need it.

Conny McRiner lives near the parkway and says shehas seen two vehicles go off the road over the last couple of days. She says she’d like to see more plows in the area.

“I’m a bit of a nervous driver anyway,” says McRiner. “But when I seen how bad the road conditions were, I really wish I had not taken that way.”

The parkway was closed for several hours last night while police investigated. They say the road was slippery at the time of the crash.

“We brought in a crash team which includes a traffic analyst,” explains Cpl. Scott MaCrae of the Halifax RCMP. “Now it’s their job to put together what may have caused or led up to this collision that now resulted in the death of a young child.”

Police say alcohol wasn’t a factor in the crash but they haven’t ruled out the possibility of charges.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Garreth MacDonald