Quick Read
- A 9-year-old boy was hit by a car in a hit-and-run on Minnesota Avenue NE, DC.
- The boy suffered serious injuries, including a broken pelvis and bruised lungs.
- The suspect is a middle-aged woman driving a dark blue or gray SUV.
- Police are offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
- Community members are calling for improved road safety measures.
9-Year-Old Injured in Northeast DC Hit-and-Run
A 9-year-old boy, Zion Rawlings, was seriously injured in a hit-and-run incident on Monday morning in Northeast Washington, D.C. The accident occurred around 8 a.m. on Minnesota Avenue NE, near a small shopping center. According to his father, Davion Rawlings, Zion was struck by a dark blue or gray SUV driven by a middle-aged woman who fled the scene immediately after the collision. The boy was rushed to Children’s National Hospital with severe injuries, including a broken pelvis, bruised lungs, a broken ankle, and facial swelling.
Details of the Incident
The incident unfolded as Davion Rawlings was taking his son to school. They had stopped briefly at a convenience store when the SUV struck Zion. “She ran over my son and kept going,” Rawlings told NBC Washington. Despite his immediate attempt to chase the vehicle, Rawlings had to return to his injured son, who was lying on the ground.
Police are currently searching for the driver and have described the vehicle as a dark blue or gray SUV with an unknown license plate. A $10,000 reward has been announced for information leading to the driver’s arrest and conviction.
Community Response and Safety Concerns
This tragic incident has reignited calls for improved road safety measures in the area. Community activists and local officials have pointed out that speeding and reckless driving are persistent issues in Northeast D.C. According to the D.C. Department of Transportation (DDOT), plans are already in place to install raised crosswalks and other traffic-calming measures in nearby areas. However, residents argue that these measures are not being implemented quickly enough to prevent further accidents.
In a separate but related incident, another child was struck by a speeding vehicle in the Kingman Park neighborhood of Northeast D.C. just days earlier. Video footage from a Ring camera showed a car speeding through an intersection and hitting a child on a bicycle. Fortunately, the child sustained only minor injuries. These incidents highlight the urgent need for comprehensive traffic safety reforms in the District.
Good Samaritan Steps In
Amid the chaos of Monday’s hit-and-run, a Good Samaritan stepped forward to assist. Davion Rawlings expressed his gratitude to the woman who called 911. “It was a wonderful woman that came; I don’t know her name, but if she’s seeing this, I want to tell her thank you,” he said. Her quick actions ensured that emergency services arrived promptly to transport Zion to the hospital.
Family’s Struggle and Hope
Zion’s mother, Tiffany Chambers, described the emotional toll the incident has taken on the family. “Just how strong he is, how much we love him,” she said, emphasizing their relief that Zion is alive and able to smile despite his pain. The family remains by his bedside as he recovers from his injuries.
Meanwhile, the community continues to rally around the Rawlings family, offering support and advocating for safer streets. Activists have organized events to raise awareness about traffic safety, including a recent remembrance event for another young victim of a traffic accident in the area.
The search for the hit-and-run driver is ongoing, and police urge anyone with information to come forward. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and accountability on the roads, as well as the importance of community-driven efforts to enhance safety for all residents.
Source: Nbcwashington, Kcrg