Toddler Killed by Pickup at Family Gathering in Putnam County
A toddler was tragically killed by a family member when he was run over by a pickup truck driven by a family member New Year’s Eve day. News 4 Jax.com reports the three-year-old boy’s aunt was attending a two-day family event at Pomona Park in Putnam County where they were involved in a mud bogging event which is where people drive ATV’s off-road.
According to a Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) report, the little boy was playing in the dirt behind the truck with a toy truck when his aunt backed a pickup into the boy. Family members rushed him to Putnam Community Hospital, but he later passed away. The FHP says charges will be filed against the aunt.
Our condolences go out to all of the family members and friends of this young boy for their tragic loss.
Keep Kids Safe Around Cars
The nonprofit group Kids and Cars.org is working to keep kids safe both in and around motor vehicles. According to the group, in 2010 there were 1,362 children involved in accidents with cars that did not involve a traffic accident. Among those children, there were 239 fatalities. California, Texas, and Florida led the nation in U.S. child non-traffic fatalities with 184 fatalities in Florida alone between 1990 and 2010.
Large Vehicle Dangers and Children
The problem is partially due to the fact that cars are getting larger, thus creating a larger blind spot. That’s one reason newer vehicles now come equipped with rear cameras. A little one has no idea a car represents danger, and Kids and Cars reports that in the U.S. at least 50 children are backed over by a driver every week resulting in two fatalities. These usually involve a larger vehicle such as an SUV, a van, or a truck. The average age of the child victim is one to two, and what’s most tragic is that in the majority of these cases, the person behind the wheel is a close relative.
If you have lost a loved one in an accident that you believe was caused by the negligence of another party, the wrongful death lawyers in Florida of Farah & Farah can help you receive compensation for things such as funeral expenses. To see how our law team can help you during this difficult time, call (800) 670-8815.
Source: http://www.news4jax.com/news/Accident-at-family-gathering-kills-3-year-old/-/475880/7425884/-/aegm8oz/-/index.html; http://jacksonville.com/news/crime/2012-01-02/story/fhp-releases-more-details-putnam-toddlers-death-after-relative-backed
