Head-On Collison, Safety Seat Issue Lead to Child Fatality

Motor vehicle injuries are the leading cause of death among children in the U.S. But many of these deaths can be prevented. Placing children in age- and size-appropriate car seats and booster seats reduces serious and fatal injuries by more than half.

As the mother of a young child I understand how a parent could become distracted and fail to properly secure the child in the seat.  But, the above statistics speak for themselves.  It is absolutely imperative to secure your child.

Unfortunately, last week a collision near Roberdel, North Carolina (NC) claimed the life of a 2-year-old and now both drivers will face charges.  The accident occurred on Dec. 11 just before 1 a.m. on Bear Branch Road between the intersections with McNeill Road and Hall Road.  Troopers believe the at-fault driver crossed the center line going about 55 miles an hour and struck an oncoming truck.

The truck was being driven by a young woman; and had three passengers, a young man, three month old infant and a two year old little girl.  The three-month-old was in a proper child safety seat and survived the impact, but the two year old was not properly restrained and died.  The at-fault driver has been charged with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle, and the driver with the children has been charged with a child restraint violation.

I can't begin to express my condolences to the mother of this young child.  This is a terrible tragic accident and something no parent should ever have to endure.  We don't know yet why the driver crossed the solid line onto incoming traffic.  But it could have been a number of driver distractions, such as eating while driving, using the car stereo, reaching for something within the car, talking on the cell phone while driving, or texting while driving.

No matter the circumstances remember to buckle up all children.  Child safety seats reduce the risk of death in passenger cars by 71% for infants, and by 54% for toddlers ages 1 to 4 years.  To find out more please see the NC Child Passenger Safety Resource Center website.

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