1-year old killed by car
Updated: November 13, 2012
Latest: 5:27 pm
CHAMPAIGN -- A mom is in shock and disbelief as she stands where her one year old son was run over by a car. It happened this weekend. Investigators say Samaj Maclin was hit while standing in the driveway of a home in the 2600-block of Roland Drive. WCIA-3's Megan Brilley has more from the devastated family.
Samaj was at his babysitter's house when he walked out to the driveway. A friend who was inside the home, got into his car, put it in reverse and ran over the baby.
"Samaj just got hit by a car. I don't know if he's going to make it."
It's every mother's worst fear, but Jazmine Maclin's reality.
"It just don't seem real."
She got a call this weekend, saying her son, Samaj, was dead.
"I'm gonna think about it in my sleep, when I'm at home, I'll always have flashbacks of this moment."
Maclin and her mother have been replaying what happened in their heads over and over. They trusted the babysitter, but now they need answers to some questions.
"Who wasn't watching him? And, if he was out here, why didn't they notice he was gone?"
Investigators are looking into that. They say it was an accident and the 24-year old driver isn't facing any charges. But, this mom has to face the cold, hard truth and tell her 7-year old daughter that her brother isn't coming home.
"She has to go back to school and I don't want anyone else to tell her."
They're still in shock and trying to focus on the good times they had with this little boy.
"He was a happy baby, a real happy baby. He was really sweet."
"He had a lot of joy, a lot of joy."
Soon, it will be time to face reality and bury Samaj, but they worry they won't be able to afford it.
"I know times are hard right now for everybody. But, I was hoping and praying some people would come and help us out."
This family is hoping for a miracle and leaning on their faith.
"The way it happened, makes it harder to deal with. We're strong women. With the strength of the Lord, we'll make it through."
The family has an account set up at the Central Illinois Credit Union.
Yolanda Maclin
c/o Central Illinois Credit Union
John Street, Champaign
Update: 2:00 pm
CHAMPAIGN -- Authorities say the death of a one-year old boy was an accident. It happened Saturday, about 8:00 pm in the 2600-block of Roland Drive, at the home of a caregiver.
The baby got out of the house by an unlocked screen door and was standing in the driveway when he was hit by a friend of the homeowner's family. The baby was rushed to the hospital where he died.
The incident is still under investigation. No charges are expected to be filed.
Original: 11:43 am
CHAMPAIGN -- A family says their one-year old child was killed after being hit by a car. It happened Saturday night about 8:00 pm in the 2600-block of Roland Drive.
Family members say the baby got out of the house by an unlocked screen door and the driver rushed the baby to the hospital. No word if charges will be filed against the driver.
CHAMPAIGN -- A mom is in shock and disbelief as she stands where her one year old son was run over by a car. It happened this weekend. Investigators say Samaj Maclin was hit while standing in the driveway of a home in the 2600-block of Roland Drive. WCIA-3's Megan Brilley has more from the devastated family.
Samaj was at his babysitter's house when he walked out to the driveway. A friend who was inside the home, got into his car, put it in reverse and ran over the baby.
"Samaj just got hit by a car. I don't know if he's going to make it."
It's every mother's worst fear, but Jazmine Maclin's reality.
"It just don't seem real."
She got a call this weekend, saying her son, Samaj, was dead.
"I'm gonna think about it in my sleep, when I'm at home, I'll always have flashbacks of this moment."
Maclin and her mother have been replaying what happened in their heads over and over. They trusted the babysitter, but now they need answers to some questions.
"Who wasn't watching him? And, if he was out here, why didn't they notice he was gone?"
Investigators are looking into that. They say it was an accident and the 24-year old driver isn't facing any charges. But, this mom has to face the cold, hard truth and tell her 7-year old daughter that her brother isn't coming home.
"She has to go back to school and I don't want anyone else to tell her."
They're still in shock and trying to focus on the good times they had with this little boy.
"He was a happy baby, a real happy baby. He was really sweet."
"He had a lot of joy, a lot of joy."
Soon, it will be time to face reality and bury Samaj, but they worry they won't be able to afford it.
"I know times are hard right now for everybody. But, I was hoping and praying some people would come and help us out."
This family is hoping for a miracle and leaning on their faith.
"The way it happened, makes it harder to deal with. We're strong women. With the strength of the Lord, we'll make it through."
The family has an account set up at the Central Illinois Credit Union.
Yolanda Maclin
c/o Central Illinois Credit Union
John Street, Champaign
Update: 2:00 pm
CHAMPAIGN -- Authorities say the death of a one-year old boy was an accident. It happened Saturday, about 8:00 pm in the 2600-block of Roland Drive, at the home of a caregiver.
The baby got out of the house by an unlocked screen door and was standing in the driveway when he was hit by a friend of the homeowner's family. The baby was rushed to the hospital where he died.
The incident is still under investigation. No charges are expected to be filed.
Original: 11:43 am
CHAMPAIGN -- A family says their one-year old child was killed after being hit by a car. It happened Saturday night about 8:00 pm in the 2600-block of Roland Drive.
Family members say the baby got out of the house by an unlocked screen door and the driver rushed the baby to the hospital. No word if charges will be filed against the driver.
