An angry crowd attacked an ice cream truck driver who ran over and killed a 7-year-old boy riding a bicycle in South Los Angeles on Wednesday night, police said.

The boy was rushed to the hospital in grave condition after he apparently fell underneath the truck about 7:15 p.m. near his home in the 200 block of 97th Street (map), the Los Angeles Police Department said.

"He was riding an electronic bike right next to the ice cream truck, apparently he may have slipped, got caught up underneath the truck, the rear wheels rolled over him," Sgt. Timothy Colson said.

A crowd then went after the driver, throwing bricks and sticks and possibly pulling a knife on him, Colson said.

The driver suffered bruises and was treated at the scene. Police initially reported that the driver had been taken to the hospital, but later said he was taken to a police station for his safety.

The boy's uncle, Michael Harris, said his nephew and his older brother were heading home at the time of the crash.

“I don’t know what I’m going to tell my brother. His son is dead,” Harris said. “They say it was an accident but I don’t believe that. I don’t believe that one bit, none at all.”

Harris said his nephews and the boy's mother may have been involved in the attack.

"She has every right to," Harris said.

Robert Kovacik contributed to this report.