Six-year-old hits woman with family car while parents slept
Translated from Polish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- A six-year-old boy in Oakland, California, drove a family car and struck a 31-year-old woman, leaving her in critical condition.
- The children, aged six and four, took the car keys while their parents were asleep and drove off in the family Toyota.
- The injured woman sustained severe injuries, including brain hemorrhages and facial fractures, but has begun responding to commands; the children are stable, and the dog is recovering.
A shocking incident in Oakland, California, has left a 31-year-old woman in critical condition after being struck by a car driven by a six-year-old boy. The woman was walking her dog at a marked crosswalk when the collision occurred.
According to local police and reports citing CBS News, the young driver and his four-year-old sibling took the car keys while their parents were asleep. They then entered the family's Toyota. The six-year-old was behind the wheel when the vehicle first grazed another car before the child lost control and drove onto the sidewalk, hitting the woman and her dog.
The injured woman suffered extensive injuries, including brain hemorrhages and facial bone fractures. Her condition is described as critical, though family members report she has started responding to simple commands. The two children involved were taken to the hospital and are in stable condition. The dog is also expected to recover under veterinary care.
While the injured woman's family has stated they do not blame the children, citing their young age and lack of understanding of the consequences, experts suggest the parents could face civil liability for allowing their children access to the vehicle. The incident raises serious questions about child supervision and vehicle safety.
Originally published by Rzeczpospolita in Polish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.