Toddler Struck, Killed by SUV

CLEARWATER, FL – A 20-month-old Clearwater boy is dead following a Wednesday night accident along North Betty Lane.

According to the Clearwater Police Department, Maddux Silva and his family had just returned home after dinner when the crash occurred shortly after 9 p.m. The boy’s father left the family’s vehicle to unlock the door to their home and let the dog out. His mother remained outside to get Maddux out of his car seat.

Police say when the mother reached back into the vehicle to get Maddux’s drink, the boy ran into the road.

A 2004 Ford Explorer, driven by Latonya Bailey, 34, of Clearwater happened to be heading northbound on the street at that time, an email from the police department said.

“Bailey told traffic homicide investigators she did not see the child until it was too late and her SUV struck him,” the email said.

Maddux was taken to Morton Plant Hospital where he later died, police said.

The investigation remains ongoing. No further details are being released at this time.

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