Toddler hit and killed by mom’s car four years after sister dies

A woman accidentally hit and killed her two-year-old son – four years after losing her young daughter in a similar incident.

According to the Hillsborough county sheriff’s office in Florida, USA, the accident happened when the child’s mother and grandmother were test-driving their 4x4, which was experiencing transmission difficulties, on a private road, People reports.

Four years ago the woman’s two-year-old daughter died after falling out of an open door of relatives' car, according to Tampa Bay Times.

The sheriff’s office spokesperson said that to make sure the car was working after it started stalling, the youngster's mom put it in reverse, drove forward and put it back in reverse, News Channel 8 reports.

The woman had spotted her two-year-old son in the front yard with the family’s dog and thought he’d let himself and the pooch into the house.

After reversing for the first time, the mom said she thought she’d hit a piece of wood. But when she saw the dog outside, she realised that her son was probably outside as well.

“Some two-year-olds do have the ability to open a door on their own,” the spokesperson said.

“They left the toddler and a dog inside the house at the time, so when they saw the dog was outside in the yard, it’s a clear indicator that, ‘Oh no, our child is likely in the yard as well.’”

The woman jumped out of her car to discover her son's body on the ground. The boy was flown to hospital but died of his injuries.

“It’s an absolutely tragic accident,” the spokesperson said. “Families have to be extremely cautious whenever they have children out in the yard when their vehicles are running.”

“We always ask that you make sure before getting in your vehicle and starting that car, you check around the vehicle to make sure no children or pets are there.”

Police are investigating the incident.

Sources: People, News Channel 8, Tampa Bay Times