Child Hit, Killed by Driver Trying to Avoid Tree in Lake County
A sad story to report from Lake County, Florida where a ten-year-old boy was hit by a car and killed as he stood on the side of the road as his father had instructed him to do. He and his father were on County Road 44A near West Elderado Drive in Eustis around 8:30 p.m. Saturday, September 24. They collided with a downed tree at a curve in the road. The father told him to wait on the shoulder but tragically when another vehicle came around the curve and tried to avoid hitting the same downed tree, it swerved and instead struck the young boy. Troopers say the second car was driven by a 73-year-old man from Mount Dora who will likely not face any charges.
Rural Roads and Rain
The rural stretch of road was dark, reports the Orlando Sentinel, and thunderstorms had just passed through the area leaving the pavement wet and slick. His father knew they would have to move their vehicle after it hit the tree and instructed his son to stand off on the opposite side of the road away from where their truck was stopped so he could call a friend. Unfortunately, the man who came around the corner veered to the right where the boy was standing. He was taken to a local hospital where he died.
The boy was a ball boy for the Christian Home and Bible School’s basketball team in Mount Dora where his father is the varsity basketball coach.
Our sincere condolences go out to everyone who mourns for the loss of this child. It serves as a reminder to slow down when there are no street lights and it has been raining. You have no idea what lies ahead and with slick roads it may be difficult to stop.
Source: http://www.wftv.com/news/29295172/detail.html
