A four-year-old boy was tragically killed on Sunday afternoon, November 8 , when he was struck by a tow truck. The boy, who was riding his bike in the alley, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. Both he and the truck driver lived in the neighborhood. No charges have yet been filed, but an investigation is ongoing.
Our thoughts are with the family.
The average tow truck weighs between 7,500 and 9,500 pounds (without anything in tow). Given the weight of these vehicles, tow truck drivers should never drive without giving full attention to the road and the surroundings. It should be expected that there will be children on bikes, playing ball, running from yard to yard. Children are supposed to play, and it is up to drivers to watch for these little ones and make sure they are not harmed.
Sources:
- http://www.wbaltv.com/news/child-dies-in-crash-with-tow-truck/36332328
- http://www.dailyjournal.net/view/story/71b6c3238b9e4d13a61cc7be21b0282f/MD–Crash-Kills-Boy
- http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811868.pdf