A 3-year-old child was struck by a vehicle in the parking lot of an apartment complex at 4822 E. Sam Houston Parkway, near Woodforest Blvd, in Harris County. According to FOX 26 Houston, officials reported that the toddler had been taken to the hospital in critical condition, the child is now stable and showing signs of a positive prognosis, despite the severe circumstances of the incident.
Harris County Sheriff's Office stated the incident occurred while the toddler was at play; a driver navigating the parking lot corner failed to see the small child who then went underneath the vehicle, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez indicated the child went under the vehicle from the front all the way to the back tires, which was later confirmed by security camera footage, as Click2Houston reported. The mother, who witnessed the incident, quickly rushed to the scene and pulled her child to safety.
The driver involved, whose identity has not been disclosed, is said to have stayed at the scene and fully cooperated with deputies arriving later; initial assessments found the driver showed no signs of intoxication. The investigation into the circumstances that led to the accident is ongoing, and as of now, it is unclear whether other adults were present during the time of the incident besides the child's mother.
Maj. Anthony McConnell emphasized the fortunate outcome, stating that despite the potentially fatal situation, authorities believe the young child will not suffer any major long-term injuries from the incident.
