A seven-year-old boy has died after he fell out of the window of a moving car and was hit by oncoming traffic in Maryland on Sunday evening.
Investigators with the Maryland State Police said the child was hit in Millersville, on the I-97 north of Route 32. Authorities did not release the child's name.
State troopers responded to the scene of the incident just before 7:30 p.m. Sunday evening. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to NBC Washington.
How Did the Child Fall Out of the Car Window?
An initial investigation found that the child was riding in the back seat of a 2011 Mazda 3 driven by his grandmother. It was unclear where they were headed, but they were driving north on the highway. It was also unclear whether the window had been left open or if the child accidentally opened it.
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Furthermore, police officers did not say whether the child was in a car seat or booster seat or if he was wearing a seat belt.
The seven-year-old fell out of the Mazda and landed in the roadway, where he was hit by a 2016 to 2019 Honda Civic, per WUSA 9. Authorities believe that the car may have some damage to its front left wheel well.
No other details about the car were provided.
Police said the driver of the Honda Civic did not stop or wait for the police to arrive after hitting the seven-year-old. They are now encouraging the public to contact them for any information about the vehicle by contacting Maryland State Police Glen Burnie Barrack at 410-761-5130.
Authorities are still investigating the case.
Keeping Children Safe in a Moving Car
Generally, children under 13 are considered the safest rising in the back seat and away from airbags. Parents of children under seven or shorter than 145 centimeters are also advised to have a properly secured child car seat to keep their kids safe.
Additionally, parents are advised to always use child safety locks on doors and windows to prevent children from opening them while the car is moving. Many modern vehicles come with these features. However, families with cars without window locks can install window stops that prevent it from opening more than a few inches.
