Toddler Hit By Car, Hospitalized In Serious Condition: Police

SANTA ROSA, CA — A 2-year-old girl was hospitalized with serious injuries Wednesday when she ran out into the road and was hit by a car, according to the Santa Rosa Police Department.

An incident involving a pedestrian and a car was reported around 4 p.m. Wednesday, and when officers got to the scene the child was surrounded by a group of people on the front lawn of a home in the 800 block of North Dutton Avenue, near Decker Street, police said in a news release.

"The child had apparent head injuries, but she was conscious and breathing," Santa Rosa police Sgt. Josh Ludtke said.

The toddler was rushed to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital and later to UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in Oakland.

The 2-year-old girl was in serious but stable condition Thursday morning and was expected to survive, Ludtke said.

Officers spoke to witnesses and the girl's mother and determined the mother had just picked up her daughter from daycare at a friend's house. As mother and daughter walked to their car, the girl pulled away from her mom and ran toward the street, police said.

"The daughter ran into the roadway from in between two parked vehicles, and she was struck by a vehicle traveling north on Dutton Avenue," Ludtke said.

The driver who hit the child stayed at the scene and was cooperative, according to police.

"It did not appear that speed or impairment of the driver was a factor in the collision," Ludtke said.

Police asked anyone who has information about the collision or witnessed it to call SRPD's Traffic Division at 707-543-3636.