Child struck by car but not seriously injured

Published 3:48 pm Friday, August 28, 2009

Authorities said a 2-year-old boy ran into the street and was knocked down by a slow-moving vehicle Thursday night.

Franklin Police Lt. Tim Whitt said the incident occurred at 7:17 p.m. in the 1200 block of Mariner Place, which runs parallel to South Street.

“The child was being watched by his grandmother when he broke away and ran into the street,” Whitt said Friday.

According to Whitt, a 2001 Ford Explorer driven by Linwood Reese of Franklin was moving slowly down Mariner Place when the child ran into the street. Whitt said Reese “felt a bump, hit the brakes and saw the child fall on the road.”

The child then got up and ran back to his grandmother, Whitt said.

Police officers and Franklin Fire and Rescue responded to the scene. Whitt said that as a precaution, the child was taken to Southampton Memorial Hospital and later transported to Norfolk General Hospital. The child, whose name was not released, was reportedly treated and released.

Several witnesses at the scene told police that Reese was driving slowly but did not have time to brake, Whitt said. No charges were filed against the driver.