KANSAS CITY, Mo. – An 18-month-old boy died Monday afternoon after he was struck by a family member driving a car in the family’s driveway.
Just after noon, Olathe Police and paramedics rushed to the 17000 block of W. 159th Terrace on reports a child was struck by a car.
Paramedics arrived on the scene and transported the boy to a local hospital where he died of his injuries.
Police later identified the boy as Mishael Kirimi.
The family member and driver of the car remained on the scene. Investigators are calling it an accident. Neighbors stood outside and watched in shock; some were crying
Sgt. Logan Bonney, spokesperson for the Olathe Police Department, said the family of the 18-month old boy is grief-stricken and heartbroken. He said this is also tough for the first responders, who also have children and empathize with the pain parents must be experiencing; but investigators work through their pain.
“They’re going to do everything they can to recreate the events that occurred today so we can get a better understanding of what happened and maybe hopefully pass on that information to prevent these types of things from happening,” said Sgt. Bonney.
Amber Rollins, National Director of Kids and cars, based in Olathe, said her heart sank when she heard about the boy’s tragic death
“Sadly this family is not alone. In the United States, 50 children every week are hit by a vehicle in a back-over incidents,” said Rollins
According to Olathe police the car involved in Monday’s incident did have a rear-view camera. The Kids and Cars Director said rear-view cameras in cars are good at detecting children directly behind the car; but back over crashes also happen when children are on the back side of the car.
Rollins said the grieving family needs peace and space so they can begin the grieving process.
The name of the victim has not yet been released.
Stay with 41 Action News for more on this developing story.
