Toddler Dies After Being Struck by SUV in Phoenix Trailer Park

A two-year-old boy died Sunday evening after being struck by an SUV.

The toddler and his family were visiting a trailer park on Van Buren and 27th Avenue, when the boy was hit by a Ford Expedition. The driver of the Expedition had just come left around a corner in the trailer park when the accident occurred.

According to the police, neither speed nor impairment are believed to be factors in the accident, and no charges have been filed against the driver.

We can follow all the laws, obeying speed limits, stop signs, etc. There are times when we can do everything right, yet, accidents occur. We cannot always account for human involvement. We will never be able to predict 100% safety for everyone in situations where there are so many uncontrolled factors. This goes double when children are involved. According to the current investigation, the driver did everything right, yet was still unable to avoid hitting this child.

Toddlers are completely unpredictable and can never go unattended near a roadway, or any dangerous situation. For those who have young children, it seems that almost any situation can turn dangerous instantly. We have to keep in mind the issue of control, and realize with children this young, we actually have to be within “grabbing distance” at all times. I cannot count how many times I have had to yell, run, pull, or grab my children to keep them from walking into the path of an automobile. Oftentimes they just don’t think, but rather, allow us to think for them, and believe their world is protected. Unfortunately, we cannot always be there.

We cannot let our guard down in areas where we think the traffic moves so slowly there is enough time for a driver to react. In this instance I don’t know if the driver saw the child or not, but considering the automobile involved was a Ford Expedition it would even be possible that the child was small enough to get in front of the SUV without even being seen.

Our hearts go out to everyone involved in this accident. It is a horrible tragedy.

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to email Chris Zachar directly at Czachar@zacharlaw.com, or visit our website at www.ZacharAssociates.com