DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — A 21-month-old child was killed Monday after being struck by a car in Daytona Beach, according to Daytona Beach Police Chief Mike Chitwood.
“In the blink of an eye, it was over,” Chitwood said.
The child's mother is in extremely critical condition, police said.
The driver's condition was not released.
Police said the pair was hit by a 90-year-old man suffering from Alzheimer's disease, who disappeared from his Port Orange home shortly before the crash.
Police said the man’s daughter was on the phone asking police to issue an alert when the crash happened just a quarter mile from Daytona Beach police headquarters shortly before 7 p.m. Monday on North Williamson Boulevard.
Chitwood said the driver, who has not been identified, crossed the median and hit the mother and child.
"You're out walking your child on a beautiful summer night.
You’re on a sidewalk and something like this happens,” he said. “I don’t know if there was even time to reaction.”
Witnesses told police the driver first hit an SUV, sending it rolling off the road, and then crossed three lines, driving the mother and child into a tree.
“I saw a little kid laying on the grass. Somebody that appeared to be the parent, in front of the car,” said witness Danny Delconzo.
A gold sedan with its hood torn off was seen in a grassy area next to a sidewalk, while two other cars appeared to have severe front-end damage.%
%
“To have it end so tragically, it’s beyond words to be honest,” said Chitwood.
Police said a total of three vehicles were involved in the crash.
No other details have been released.