Boy dies on Boxing Day after being hit by car while playing with new scooter outside home

Roman Martinez was hit by the Honda car while playing outside his house

Roman Martinez, 12, died after being hit by a car on Boxing Day (Facebook)

A boy died on Boxing Day after being run down in front of his home by a car while riding an electric scooter he received for Christmas.

Roman Martinez, 12, was hit at about 11.50am local time in the Upland area of Los Angeles, California, and was airlifted to Loma Linda Medical Centre for treatment where he then died from severe injuries.

“The juvenile rode out of the driveway directly into the path of the oncoming Honda,” the California Highway Patrol report stated according to KTLA.

The driver of the vehicle had tried to stop in time but was unable to break before hitting the boy with her car, it added.

The 30-year-old woman stayed on the scene but police did not arrest her as there was no sign that she had been intoxicated before and while the incident occurred. It is not yet known whether speeding was a factor on the 35mph road.

“Roman is a great kid, courageous, would probably end up giving you the shirt off his back,” said his older brother, R.J. Martinez as reported by NBC Los Angeles.

“I'm in shock right now. (He) was a great kid, very good heart.”

His family added that he was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.