2-year-old dies in Milford after struck by car

Police say boy was standing on road in dark

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MILFORD — A 2-year-old boy died after being struck by a vehicle while standing on Slaughter Beach Road on Wednesday night, authorities said.

The child, wearing dark clothing, was standing in the westbound lane of the road when struck about 8:05, Delaware State Police spokeswoman Master Cpl. Heather Pepper said. He had been visiting family at a nearby residence.

A 72-year-old Milford man was driving a 1998 Toyota Corolla west and rounded a slight right curve when the vehicle struck the child, authorities said. The driver was unable to see the boy, which resulted in the left front of the vehicle hitting him, Cpl. Pepper said.

The child, from Dover,  was transported to an area hospital, then moved to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Wilmington. While en route to Nemours, the victim was pronounced deceased. Identification is pending notification of next of kin.

Police said the driver involved was not injured.

Slaughter Beach Road was closed for approximately three hours, while the collision was cleared.

The crash remains under investigation by the Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit. Anyone with information is asked to contact Sgt. Nicholas DeMalto by calling 644-5020.

The incident was the second fatal collision involving a child within four days in the state. Police said a 3-year-old boy died in New Castle on Sunday, after being run over by a pickup truck his 13-year-old brother was driving in the yard of a Red Lion Road residence. In addition, the boys’ 6-year-old brother fell off the truck and was injured, authorities said.

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