Tragedy struck on the evening of November 24, 2024, when a 7-year-old boy lost his life following a heartbreaking incident on Interstate 97 in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. According to authorities, the child fell from the rear window of the vehicle he was seated in, moments before he was struck by another car which fled the scene.
Maryland State Police reported they received calls shortly before 7:30 PM concerning the accident. When the troopers arrived, they found the young boy and his grandmother, Lorraine O'Neill, 66, from Hagerstown. The preliminary investigation revealed the boy, whose name has not been released, was seated in the back of O'Neill's 2011 Mazda 3.
The grandmother was driving north on I-97 when the boy managed to open the rear window and fell out onto the highway. Tragically, he was immediately hit by an oncoming vehicle, which has been identified as possibly being a 2016 to 2019 Honda Civic. The driver of this Civic did not stop and is currently being sought by police.
Witnesses reported seeing the horrifying scene, indicating the rapid sequence of events leading up to the incident. Police stated they had received multiple reports about the boy's fall and the subsequent hit-and-run. It’s believed the child was wearing his seatbelt, but investigators are still reviewing the precise circumstances, including how he managed to exit from the window.
Elena Russo, spokesperson for the Maryland State Police, described the incident as “incredibly tragic.” She emphasized the urgency of ensuring children's safety when traveling, reminding parents and guardians to double-check child safety seats and restraints. “This is the stark reminder of the vigilance needed about children's safety,” Russo stated, adding, “We must be diligent about how they are seated and belted in the backseat.”
The pursuit for the driver of the Honda Civic continues, with police urging anyone with information related to this accident to step forward. Authorities are particularly interested in vehicles showing damage to the front left wheel well, as this may aid them in locating the suspect.
Witnesses at the scene shared their distress over the tragic event. One witness recalled seeing the boy fall and stated it happened so quickly, describing the highway as dark and busy at the time. A nearby Amazon driver, who stopped upon noticing something unusual on the road, rendered help by bringing the boy to safety and calling for emergency assistance.
Despite the efforts made at the scene, the boy was pronounced dead shortly thereafter, marking yet another heartbreaking chapter for the community and family involved. “You can’t prepare for something like this,” said one local resident, reflecting on the loss of such young life.
At present, the investigation remains active and anyone who may have seen anything unusual or has information about the crash is encouraged to reach out to the Maryland State Police at Glen Burnie Barrack.
The families involved are grappling with immense grief and shock as they process this devastating event, and many community members are rallying to offer support during this difficult time. Grief counselors have been made available for those affected and anyone wishing to express their condolences is being encouraged to do so.
This incident serves as yet another reminder of the importance of traffic safety and the need for heightened awareness, particularly when traveling with young children. Every aspect of vehicle safety can have significant consequences, and now more than ever, sees the community coming together to stress this message.
The police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding this tragedy and hope to bring justice to the family impacted by this senseless loss.
