Mom runs over child

[Peeperann]

FREMONT, Calif. — An 8-year-old is suffering from serious injuries after a Fremont mother accidentally ran over her child while backing out of her driveway.

Fremont police Sgt. Chris Mazzone said the child sustained substantial upper-body injuries in the accident late Sunday morning.

Police said the mother believed her child was in the car's back seat when the child was actually behind the vehicle.

Children in Oakland, San Jose and Pittsburg have been run over and killed by their parents this year.

Experts say such accidents are often the result of "bye-bye syndrome," when children go out the door without their parents knowing to see where their parents have gone.


And that's why I always make sure where my grandchildren are before I back out.

I learned this the hard way when I was 10. My dad checked to make sure my little brother Tony was still playing in the neighbors yard. And he was, my dad was just going to back his truck out and then back in the driveway because it was a busy road in the mornings.

Well apparently my little brother thought my dad was going to the store or something, as he ran from the neighbors yard right into the path of the truck. And my dad backed over my brother by accident. He died in my dads arms before the ambulance could there.

So people, take one extra minute to pay attention and look. Just make sure you know where the children are. Nothing is more important.

[crickett]

I am so sorry for your loss....I always had to check and make sure that my kids were safely buckled in the backseat...so I knew if they had got out of the car. Otherwise, if leaving them behind, I had the other adult (spouse or sister) verify where they were before I backed out. I don't know why but I was ALWAYS terrified that a kid might be behind my vehicle. My ex thought that it was really stupid of me...

[Pixie]

That's awful Peeper. I'm so sorry and your poor Dad. I have to have the kids in FRONT in sight - on the porch with hubby before I'll back out. My husband thinks I'm paranoid too!

This poor mother also. I can't imagine.

[Peeperann]

Thanks you guys. I know what you mean. I have gotten out of my countless times in my life just to "make sure". My entire family is like this because of what happened. It was a horrible accident, but my dad never got over it.

I too feel just awful for this mother. I hope her child makes it.

[Trish]

I'm sorry to hear that Peeper.......I can't even imagine what your dad and family went through.

[witzah]

how awful - peeps - i'm so sorry to hear you had to experience this. thanks for sharing that with us, though, it makes hearing (and reading) about thid tragedy more understandable or relatable.

[Just my luck sucks]

I think back up alarms or back up cameras should be mandantory on all cars/trucks and SUV's

[Sister Iroz]

Peeper, I am so sorry that this happened to you and your family and especially for your Father. You have shared so much with us (thank you for that) and know wonder you are a strong, loving, caring, sensitive, etc. woman. Sometimes the experiences in our lives are used to help other people with similar or same circumstances as I feel you have.

I can't even imagine the emotion this mother is feeling at this time. I know I would be a total basket case probably medicated and not wanting to leave my child's side. I know when my daughter was born 2 months early I blamed myself for a long time and had a hard hard timing dealing with it. I also know I wanted to be with her every second of the day.

My prayers are with the child and family.