7-Month-Old Baby Struck and Killed by SUV in School Zone

Clayda Lozoya was walking on the sidewalk with her 4 year old son and pushing her 7 month old in a stroller, when he was struck and killed by an SUV. The driver of the SUV had just dropped off her child at the Westwind Middle School Academy and was exiting the parking lot when she struck the stroller. Lozoya was able to push her older child out of the way, but the stroller was pulled under the vehicle. The baby was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to reports the driver may have looked left but there was no mention that she looked right--which is the direction Lozoya and her children were coming from. As of yet there have been no charges pressed against the driver of the SUV who, per reports, was emotionally devastated.

There are many things about this case that concern me but a couple I really feel need to be addressed here. For one, I recently posted a blog about school zones, and mentioned the guidelines established by the Arizona Motor Vehicle Department. However, how can we expect drivers to follow the guidelines if the school zone is not posted? I know that the driver in this incident was well aware of the school zone, considering her child attends that school, but it could have been someone else. Rick Mata, the baby’s father stated “Every school out there has a sign that says 15 miles per hour, why not right here?

Another concern I have is that as drivers, we all need to “know our cars”. SUV’s and trucks are taller than most cars, thus, often you may have a blind spot directly in front of you. It is possible that a person, especially a small child, can be right in front of your car and you wouldn’t see them. ALL DRIVERS: When leaving a parking lot, ESPECIALLY IN A SCHOOL ZONE OR FROM A SCHOOL, drivers should always be watching for children and pedestrians, and should always be traveling at a slow speed. You can’t predict the actions of a young child any better than anyone else. CAUTION is the rule! There are no exceptions here!!

I do not know all of the details of this case, but can surmise what occurred here: Driver inattention, and perhaps, mommy inattention. I was watching the news that night and saw the tearful and horrifically emotional interview with the mother of the deceased 7 month old. Nothing will bring her baby back. Attention—Attention—Attention would have prevented this horrible tragedy. A few more seconds only, yet, a life lost forever, and no less than 2 families destroyed by this incident.

Everything about this accident is disturbing. Our hearts go out to all those affected.