ST. GEORGE — The child of a St. George Police officer was hit by a vehicle while riding his kick scooter in the heart of a quiet Little Valley neighborhood Wednesday afternoon.
Officers investigate after a child on a kick scooter was hit by a minivan in Little Valley, St. George, Utah, Dec. 28, 2023 | Photo by Chris Reed, St. George News
According to an officer at the scene, the child was struck by a minivan crossing the suburban street at the corner of Willow Tree Lane and 2880 East Street about three blocks from The Fields at Little Valley.
The child had injuries to the jaw described as being non-life threatening and was taken by ambulance to St. George Regional Hospital
Officers and onlookers said the van was traveling on 2880 through a street without a stop sign. The child crossed the street in the other direction that did have a stop sign.
The female driver of the van, its only passenger, remained at the scene and officers said it didn’t appear any traffic violations took place though the incident remains under investigation.
“It’s one of those freak actions that happened,” St. George Police Officer David Blackman said.
Other children on bikes and scooters gathered around the scene as well as some adults during the school holiday with many children out riding and playing. According to Blackman, many residents in the neighborhood quickly rendered aid.
Map shows location were a child on a kick scooter was hit by a minivan in Little Valley, St. George, Utah, Dec. 28, 2023 | Crash graphic by iStock/Getty Images Plus, photo courtesy of Google Maps, St. George News
“All the families here look out for each other,” he said.
Because of the relation of the victim to an officer, the Utah Highway Patrol arrived to handle the investigation with an assist from the Washington County Sheriff.
“We don’t want to have any conflicts of interest,” Blackman said.
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