We can also look at this from the point of view of karma. Buddhists stress that it is the intention behind our actions which is important. The example often used is killing someone with a knife. A surgeon, intending to heal someone, may in the process kill his patient whereas a murderer would have done so deliberately.
In Buddhist thinking we have mental imprints or habits - kleshas if they're negative ones - and these determine the way we live. Let's say this boy has impatience as one of his. That caused him to get into the car and perhaps start fooling with the controls with its unfortunate results. We could say that he';ll never recover but perhaps that's not true. OF course there will be terrible guilt and grieving - but there may also, eventually, be some good outcomes from this. Perhaps he will choose to make amends by not only learning that impatience can be disastrous but also by choosing work that will save lives or help others.
Heather, it sounds like you have compassion and empathy for this boy. Why not send him some loving thoughts? Ask that he find healing and picture him receiving it along with his family. It can only help you both.
Bhavya
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