Children run over by car while playing inside cardboard box in New Bedford

August 17, 2017 8:40 pm

By: News Staff

Email: news@abc6.com

Twitter: @ABC6

NEW BEDFORD, M.A. (WLNE) — Tensions high today in a New Bedford neighborhood, the site of a tragic accident where two young children hit by a car.
Tred marks fill the driveway at 43 Roosevelt Street, marking exactly where 2 young children were hit by a car Thursday evening.

The siblings, a 6 year old boy and 5 year old girl live next door and police say they were playing in a cardboard box when the owner of house number 43 pulled into the driveway, unaware that the children were there, and hit them with his car.

The 5 year old girl was life flighted to Boston Children’s, she’s now in critical but stable condition and police say she’s expected to survive. Her brother was released with minor injuries.

The man that was driving doesn’t live on the street and is currently renovating the multifamily home.

Hours after the accident police were called back to the house and found a pile of trash on fire up against the garage. The fire department is still investigating but several neighbors say it was set in retaliation.

Tensions were high on Roosevelt Street today and witnesses were not willing to speak on camera out of fear.
Police are still investigating whether the accident and fire are connected but they do not anticipate filing any charges against the driver at this time.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the 5 year old girl and her family,” said Lt. Amos Melo with the New Bedford Police Department.