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Samantha Hayes ReportingThe recent story of a little boy run over by a van but with no serious injuries is amazing in itself. But we've learned more about what led to that accident, information with serious safety implications for parents.
Usually when something like this happens it involves a driver either forgetting to check behind the vehicle, or somehow not seeing the child with these side and rear view mirrors. In this case, the mother of the three year old told KSL the van door was left open. Her little boy climbed inside and somehow managed to move the car from Park to Reverse.
He got scared when the vehicle started to move so he jumped out and that's how he was run over.
You have heard the heartbreaking stories when parents accidentally run over their children playing in the driveway. There are safety campaigns, like "Spot the Tot", and new camera technology so drivers can see what's behind them. But what may be harder to find is a way to squelch a three year old's curiosity.
Theron Jeppson, Utah Department of Health: "To be actually under the vehicle after having it run over them and not be injured is a miracle."
The circumstances may be unique, but the consequences are the same.
Theron Jeppson: "In Utah over the last several years, we've averaged about 65 young children either run over either in their own driveway or a residential parking lot."
This kind of accident happens more often than you may think. Of the 65 children struck or run over by a vehicle each year, it was fatal for five of them. Most vehicles involved in these accidents are traveling slowly, usually moving in reverse, and most often the driver is a family member.
And in Utah and across the country, statistics show more children are hit each year; of the 36 deaths in Utah since 1997, 26 happened in the last four years.
The mother of the little boy told me tonight he has some bruising, but otherwise is fine. He's expected to be able to leave the hospital by the end of the week.
