TAMPA, Fla. -- Hillsborough County Sheriff's deputies surprised a 10-year-old boy who lost his mother in a car accident.
- Child's mother killed when car ran off road, struck a pole
- Deputies Austin Zitch, Andrew Crosby wanted to help
- Donations from other deputies raised funds for gifts
Israel lost his mother a couple of weeks ago when a car she was driving ran off the road and hit a pole.
Deputy Austin Zitch was one of the deputies who had to tell him his mother was gone.
"He's 10 years old, just lost his mom. It's his whole world," said Zitch.
Zitch and fellow deputy Andrew Crosby wanted to help. They put out the word and started collecting donations from other deputies in District 4.
Together, they raised about $450 to buy Israel an Xbox and games. They also got Walmart to donate additional gifts.
"At the end of the day, he's still a 10-year-old kid and he deserves to be a kid," said Crosby.
Family friends said Israel is struggling with his mother's death, but they say the games are keeping him occupied.
"It will keep him busy after he's done with his homework and this and that, so he loved it," said Adriana Guerra.
While nothing can erase the tragedy, the deputies hope the gifts will show Israel he's not alone.
"We want him to know we're here for him, that at the Sheriff's Office we want to reach out to people who go through these traumatic circumstances," Zitch said. "He's 10 years old and at least give him some hope, play some video games, kind of escape reality for a little while and just be a 10 year old kid."