A 4-year-old child was seriously injured when he was struck by a work van he accidentally put into gear.
A preliminary investigation shows that just after 10 a.m. Sunday, the child got into a 2000 Chevrolet van owned by his father, Scott Little, of the 1300 block of Gunston Road in Bel Air, police said.
The keys were in the ignition and the child managed to put the van into gear, causing it to roll backward more than 100 yards down the driveway, across the street and into a neighbor?s yard, said Bob Thomas, Harford County Sheriff?s Office spokesman.
The child apparently jumped out of the vehicle as it was rolling, getting struck by part of the van and sustaining injuries to his right thigh and groin, Thomas said. While it?s not yet clear which part of the vehicle hit him, the child was not run over.
Renee Little, the child?s mother, reported the accident. The father was apparently inside the house at the time, Thomas said.
After being treated at the scene by personnel from the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company, the child was flown by state police helicopter to the Johns Hopkins Hospital Pediatric Unit in Baltimore. He was listed in serious condition Sunday.
“Never leave a vehicle unlocked or unattended with the keys inside,” Thomas said. “Not only is it a good way to allow children to get into trouble, but it?s also a good way to have your vehicle stolen.”
No damage was done to the vehicle or any other property, and the state?s attorney will determine if any charges will be brought against the parents.
msantoni@baltimoreexaminer.com
