FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — The mother of a missing Sampson County boy was killed when she jumped from a moving truck in Fayetteville.

Authorities in Fayetteville responded to a reported automobile accident at 2:42 a.m. Friday on Hope Mills Road near Redwood Drive.

The preliminary investigation revealed that 23-year-old Raven Myers, who was a passenger in the vehicle, jumped from moving truck. Police said she was trying to go back to someone's house to finish an argument.

Investigators said Myers struck her head on the pavement causing severe injury to her head. She was transported to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center where she later died around 6:22 a.m. Friday.

Raven's son, Tristen "Buddy" Myers, has been missing since October 2000. He was living with his aunt and uncle at the time he disappeared.

Eventually, the case received national attention when a boy matching Buddy's description was found in Chicago. However, DNA results determined that boy was not Buddy Myers.

Family and friends said they have not given up hope that they will find Buddy.

"Someone has got to find it in their hearts to place that important phone call and lead us to [him]," family friend Jackie Cox said.

The family celebrated Buddy's seventh birthday over the summer.