3-year-old thrown from car when driver falls asleep at the wheel, Oklahoma cops say
A fatal crash started by a driver falling asleep at the wheel led to a 3-year-old girl’s death, Oklahoma officials said.
A 28-year-old man was driving with a 23-year-old woman, along with three girls, ages 5, 3 and 1, around noon July 14, when he fell asleep, Oklahoma Highway Patrol said.
He crashed the vehicle into a concrete barrier wall on a highway in Oklahoma City, officers said.
The impact threw the 3-year-old girl through the rear window on the driver’s side of the car, according to the report. She landed in the opposite lanes as a Tesla approached.
The Tesla then struck the 3-year-old lying in the lane, officers said. The car stopped briefly, but then continued to drive down the highway, according to the report.
The girl was taken to the hospital, but died of her injuries, the report said. The 28-year-old driver was also taken to the hospital for injuries, but he was released, officials said.
The 1-year-old was the only person in the car wearing a seat belt, the crash report said.
The 23-year-old woman, 5-year-old and 1-year-old girl were not hurt.
Officials say the crash is still under investigation.
This story was originally published July 16, 2024 at 11:41 AM with the headline "3-year-old thrown from car when driver falls asleep at the wheel, Oklahoma cops say."
