The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a traffic fatality in which a child was killed. The crash occurred at approximately 7:15 p.m. on Friday, June 14, 2019.
Police say the driver was exiting the Starbucks parking lot located at 11029 Causeway Boulevard in Brandon when a 6 year-old relative in the back seat of the vehicle opened the rear passenger side door and fell out of the vehicle.
The driver was attempting to make a right turn at a low speed onto southbound Providence Lakes Boulevard. The child was run over by the rear passenger side tire.
The driver, who told detectives he did not realize the child had been run over by the vehicle, got out to check on the child, who was alert and did not appear to have any wounds at the time. He placed the child back in the vehicle and continued down the roadway.
When he realized the child had lost consciousness, he called 911 and pulled over at Grand Isle Drive and Gornto Lake Road.
The child was unresponsive when EMS arrived. The child was transported to Brandon Regional Hospital and later pronounced dead.
No impairment or foul play is suspect in this incident, according to police. No charges have been filed against the driver at this time. An investigation is ongoing.
No further details related to the victim or the driver’s identity will be provided at this time, according to HCSO, due to Marsy’s Law.