A 3-year-old child was tragically killed on Sunday night in Melbourne, Florida, after being struck by a car while running away from a parent, according to local police. The child’s mother was also injured in an attempt to stop her child from running into the street.
The incident occurred at the intersection of Dairy Road and Hall Street shortly before 8:30 p.m., reported the Melbourne Police Department. Upon arriving at the scene, officers discovered that both the 3-year-old child and the parent had suffered severe injuries in the crash.
Authorities said the accident happened when the child and two adults were exiting a car parked on the southbound side of Dairy Road. The vehicle they were traveling in had a trailer attached. Unfortunately, the young child ran past their parents, darting behind the trailer and onto the northbound lanes of Dairy Road.
In an effort to prevent the child from running into danger, the parent, identified as 31-year-old Cassandry Lyn Becher, rushed after them. Tragically, both Becher and the child were struck by a 2009 Honda Pilot traveling northbound driven by 56-year-old Stephanos Maminakis.
At this time, the full extent of Becher’s injuries remains unknown. Sadly, the child was pronounced deceased. Due to the child’s young age, their identity has not been released by the police.
Authorities have confirmed that drugs and alcohol were not factors in the crash. The incident is being treated as a traffic homicide and is currently under investigation by the Melbourne Police Department’s Traffic Homicide division. Officer Chris Livingston, the lead investigator, has encouraged anyone with information related to the incident to reach out to him at 321-288-8288.
This heartbreaking incident serves as a tragic reminder of the importance of keeping a close eye on young children, especially in busy areas. The Melbourne Police Department is urging parents and caregivers to remain vigilant and take the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of young children.
As investigations continue, our thoughts go out to the family and loved ones of the child who lost their life in this devastating accident. May they find the strength and support they need during this difficult time.
