Car kills 4-year-old who wandered into street steps away from dad, Georgia police say
A toddler’s life was cut short when he wandered onto a busy Georgia roadway over the weekend, authorities say.
Breyson Chun Gabriel, 4, was steps away from his father when he was struck by a car Sunday near the family’s home in Dalton, about 90 miles northwest of Atlanta, according to police.
The accident unfolded around 5:30 p.m. when authorities say the driver of a 2011 Ford Edge backed out of their driveway nearby. The toddler apparently stepped into the street as the driver was passing a car parked near the curb.
Gabriel’s father, police say, had crossed the street to talk with a neighbor moments before the accident. Authorities suspect the 4-year-old may have been following his dad across the street or running after a ball that had rolled into the roadway.
Police said the driver stayed on scene after calling 911. The child was rushed to a hospital but died from his injuries.
Authorities said the accident remains under investigation, though criminal charges against the driver are not expected.
This story was originally published June 1, 2021 at 2:10 PM with the headline "Car kills 4-year-old who wandered into street steps away from dad, Georgia police say."