INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (March 5, 2014) – A baby boy who died following a hit-and-run accident wasn’t properly strapped into his seat, police say.
Indianapolis Metropolitan police said the boy died Wednesday morning, hours after the Tuesday night crash near West 38th Street and southbound I-65 in which a black Dodge rear-ended a blue compact car. The 7-month-old infant was ejected and landed in the street. He went to Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health in serious condition. His condition soon worsened, and IMPD said he died Wednesday morning.
The infant was in a car seat, but police said Wednesday afternoon that he wasn’t properly strapped in.
The infant’s mother was transported to Riley Hospital in good condition. Three other people were in the vehicle: the driver and infant’s father, a teenager, and a 3-year old. They were all taken to Eskenazi in good condition.
Officers said the man behind the wheel of the 2010 black Dodge was driving recklessly and speeding on East 38th Street approaching I-65 when he collided with the back of the family’s small car, causing it to spin out.
Investigators believe two men were in that Dodge and both of them ran out of the vehicle, leaving it behind in a ditch after the crash. Police used a helicopter and a K-9 unit to search the area but came up empty.
Sources familiar with the case tell Fox59 that detectives have spoken to the person who owns the black Dodge. That person was not in the car at the time of the crash. They say the car owner is cooperating with the investigation. Sources say the car was not stolen. The relationship between the owner and the men who were in the car is not clear.
Anyone with information about the suspects’ identities is asked to call 911 or Crime Stoppers of Indiana at 317.262.TIPS (8477).
