Father, Toddler Injured By Rolling Vehicle: CHP

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — UPDATED: A man and his 3-year-old son were rushed to hospitals Wednesday morning when the man's vehicle rolled backward, injuring both of them, the California Highway Patrol reported. The incident was reported as a vehicle-versus-pedestrian collision at about 10:40 a.m. on Emerald Drive near Petaluma, according to CHP Officer Jonathan Sloat.

CHP's preliminary investigation indicated that the father had pulled his Ford Escape SUV into a nursery and exited the vehicle, then opened the rear door to remove the boy from his car seat, Sloat said.

"The vehicle was not in park and as the father was unbuckling the child, the vehicle started to roll backward," Sloat continued. "As it did, the father was caught behind the open rear door. He fell to the ground and pulled the child out as he did. As a result, the child was struck by the front wheel."

Both were taken to Petaluma Valley Hospital; however the child has since been airlifted to Children’s Hospital Oakland with "moderate to major injuries."

The father was not run over but suffered moderate injuries, Sloat said.

CHP remained on scene and was continuing its investigation.

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