Salem Child Starting Car Accidentally Runs Over Sister: Cops

SALEM, NH — Police and that New Hampshire Division of Children, Youth, and Families are investigating an incident where a child starting a car for a parent reportedly ran over her sibling with the vehicle last night, according to police. At just after 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 27, 2016, police and Salem Fire and Rescue teams were sent to an apartment on South Policy Street for a report of an injured child.

The caller reported that her daughter – 7 – had accidentally run over another child – 2 – with a vehicle. When they arrived, they spoke with the caller who reportedly stated that she had given her daughter permission to go outside and start her Ford Focus sedan. Her sister also joined her outside, according to Capt. Joel Dolan of the Salem Police Department. After the girl started the vehicle, she was reportedly able to shift it into reverse and the car moved backward and ran over the 2-year-old, according to police.

“The 2-year-old sustained injuries to her legs, chin, scalp, and had some bruising along her right side rib cage and upper arm,” Dolan stated. “The girl’s mother, who was not outside at the time, came to aid her daughter when she heard the 7-year-old scream for help. A neighbor who witnessed the aftermath also came over to render assistance.”

The injured girl was taken to Lawrence General Hospital and then medflighted to Boston Children’s Hospital.

Dolan said that later, as police investigated the incident, they learned that this was not the first time that the girl was allowed to start the vehicle unsupervised. The investigation is ongoing and the Salem Police Department will work with the NH Division of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), he noted.