18-month-old wanders into street, hit by Jeep


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COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS — An 18-month-old boy was hit by a car and seriously injured after walking into traffic on Fort Union Boulevard Friday.

But police say the accident could have been far worse.

A mother and father were standing at a three-way intersection near 1450 East and Fort Union about 1 p.m. with their young child. The parents reportedly became involved in an animated conversation and their attention was briefly diverted away from their child, said Cottonwood Heights Police Sgt. Scott Peck.

That's when the boy wandered 10 feet into the busy road. The toddler walked right into the path of a Jeep Cherokee traveling 30 to 35 mph, Peck said. The boy bounced off the tire, slammed into the pavement and bounced off the ground according to witnesses.

"The city worker said it was a violent bounce, hit the ground. The father then grabbed the baby and held him in his arms and 911 was called," Peck said.

But there was no evidence that the boy went under the vehicle. If the timing had been just a quarter of a second off, the car would have likely run over the boy, Peck said.

Police say the vehicle's 31-inch tires were heavily inflated and acted as sort of a cushion for the boy.

The boy suffered facial injuries and was complaining of his arm being sore to the touch, he said. Doctors later listed the boy in stable condition.

They will be keeping him overnight for observation.

Police say the driver won't receive any citation and the parents won't be charged. They call it a terrible accident that serves as a reminder make sure children can't wander into traffic.

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Pat Reavy and Ashley Kewish

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