Toddler Killed In 'Absolutely Tragic Accident', Driver Not Charged In Laurel: Police

LAUREL, MD — A toddler died recently after he walked in front of a car in Laurel, the Anne Arundel County Police Department said.

Officers have not released the victim's name, only identifying him as a 23-month-old boy from Laurel.

Lt. Jacklyn Davis, a spokesperson for the AACoPD, said the driver was not charged.

"This was an absolutely tragic accident. Not a crime, and no laws were broken," Davis told Patch in a Tuesday email.

The crash happened last Wednesday around 5:30 p.m. in a commercial parking lot in the 3600 block of Laurel Fort Meade Road, authorities said.

Police said a 2019 Nissan Pathfinder stopped in the parking lot to drop off two passengers. One of the passengers talked with the driver and walked to the back of the SUV after their conversation.

Officers said the toddler emerged from a carport area at the same time and walked within inches of the front of the SUV while it remained stopped.

Authorities said the driver started to move forward, not seeing the toddler, and the child was struck.

The boy was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital, police said.

Officers are still investigating.

Authorities did not identify the driver.

This map shows the area where police said the crash happened.