It was a typical summer afternoon, like dozens we've had since school let out.

Children were out enjoying the afternoon. Maybe heading home after a dip in the pool or shooting some baskets. Maybe going to a friend's house to play video games.

Those are all common occurrences, whether in downtown Lafayette or a suburban subdivision on the south side or elsewhere across the state.

Yet this particular Wednesday afternoon turned tragic for the family of James "Jimmy" DeBoy.

The 9-year-old, who was riding his bike on the sidewalk with some family members, was struck and killed by a car. Jimmy did nothing wrong.

Police say that a car driven by Cesar Delarosa jumped a curb, struck the child and dragged him.

We don't know all the details about what happened that afternoon. Police suspect that the driver was under the influence of drugs. (Alcohol was also found in his system, but it apparently did not surpass the legal limit.)

Delarosa told authorities he was attempting to avoid running into the rear of another vehicle, and that's how he ended up on the sidewalk.

In cases such as this, there is outrage, sadness and frustration. Why must a young person die this way?

There are too many questions to list here, many of which may never be answered. Why did their paths have to cross? Why did the car have to veer off the road where the kids were? Why not 100 feet before or ahead of them?

If the driver was indeed under the influence of drugs, there are those who will see this as a reason to fix the laws.

After all, Delarosa had recently been arrested and charged with drug possession.

But this isn't an issue with the legal system. Delarosa, like others held on similar charges, has the right to bond out of jail. He did.

So, what is there to do?

We can hope such senseless acts won't happen again. But realistically, we know that such tragedies often do.

We can push for more funding for drug courts, drug treatment programs and police officers. But those are mostly after-the-fact measures.

Realistically, no new law, no program and no punishment will bring a sense of understanding to this tragedy.

It is, however, a sorrowful reminder that driving requires our sober, full attention.

Otherwise, in a few seconds, a typical summer afternoon can turn into our most awful nightmare.