A 7-year-old boy died after being hit by a semi-truck in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, even though the truck driver checked to make sure children were clear before moving.
The crash happened shortly before 8 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 15, on Lindale Avenue near Cottondale Drive, according to WAFB, WBRZ, and Louisiana First. The East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner’s Office later identified the victim as Suleiman Hamideh.
“This is very tragic, it’s very unfortunate,” Cpl. Saundra Watts told WBRZ. “We’d just like to keep this family in our prayers.”
Police said the semi-truck had been traveling east on Lindale Avenue and stopped at the intersection. To be cautious, the driver leaned out the window and asked nearby people to confirm that the children were out of the road, the outlets reported. One person told the driver they had the kids, so he continued forward, turned right on Cottondale Drive, and parked near Delcourt Avenue, WAFB reported.
While moving the truck, the driver unknowingly struck Hamideh with the rear driver’s side tire of the trailer, according to WAFB. Officers found the driver about two blocks away, WBRZ reported.
Police said the truck’s heavy, fully loaded trailer may have caused shaking that made it hard for the driver to feel the impact. “The driver was unaware of the child being in the roadway and did not know anyone was struck,” officials told WBRZ.
Video surveillance from the truck allegedly showed the boy riding his bike near the vehicle before disappearing on the driver’s side just before the semi began to move. Additional footage showed the truck traveling at a slow speed of 7 to 12 mph, WAFB reported.
Authorities said impairment is not suspected, but results from a blood draw are still pending. Police believe the incident was an accident, and no charges have been filed at this time, according to WBRZ.
Neighbors expressed grief over the tragedy. “The kids are always out,” local business owner Anthony Patin told WBRZ. “It’s a community environment around here.”
