A family in Apopka is grieving after a 4-year-old girl died today when she was run over by an SUV in a residential driveway, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Troopers say the child was standing next to the right rear passenger door of a 2018 Chevrolet Traverse when the vehicle moved. The family's identity has not been released as authorities continue their review of the scene, based on a Florida Highway Patrol crash report summarized by ClickOrlando.
Investigators say the SUV was parked in a driveway near Robinson Avenue and 13th Street. Officials have not disclosed whether any charges will be filed, according to the outlet's report.
Why Backovers Are So Dangerous
Backover incidents, when a vehicle reverses or rolls over a child who is outside the driver's line of sight, remain a stubborn hazard for toddlers. Child-safety advocates estimate roughly 50 children in the United States are backed over each week, and many victims are younger than 5, according to Kids and Cars.
Earlier analyses by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that thousands of children were treated in emergency departments each year for nonfatal backover injuries, which underscores how common these driveway and parking lot tragedies can be.
Simple Steps Families And Drivers Can Take
Federal safety officials stress that a few simple habits can reduce the risk of a backover crash. Drivers are urged to walk completely around a parked vehicle before getting in, keep children away from driveways, and use available technology such as backup cameras, according to NHTSA.
The agency also recommends backing up slowly and looking behind the vehicle the entire time, in case a child suddenly moves into the path of the car. Those precautions are especially important with taller vehicles such as SUVs, which can make small children harder to see from the driver's seat.
Authorities have not released the child's name or additional details, and troopers did not immediately provide further comment, per the initial local report by ClickOrlando. FHP's formal crash report will become part of the public record as investigators continue reviewing the scene.
