The Associated Press
CAVE CREEK, Ariz. — Authorities say a 2-year-old boy is dead after being run over by a recycling truck in Cave Creek, north of Phoenix.
Rural Metro Fire officials say the fatal accident occurred late Wednesday afternoon in a rural area of 40th Street and Lone Mountain Road.
Authorities say the truck, driven by Bernardo Hernandez, apparently was backing up on a narrow dirt road when the child was struck. Police do not believe Hernandez, 41, was impaired.
“There are no words,” neighbor Sandra Murphy said, when she heard of the accident. “They have a lot of kids who are always playing outside. This is just horrible.”
The toddler and other children were playing outside when the accident occurred.
“The mother was out there with five siblings. To watch this happen has to be just horrifying to all of them,” Lt. Brandon Jones of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office told 3TV.
While the name of the boy hasn’t been released, MCSO identified his parents as Sara and Davin Tarnanen.
Statement from Waste Management of Arizona:
Waste Management expresses our sincerest, heartfelt condolences to the family involved in yesterday’s tragic accident in Maricopa County, Arizona. We are cooperating fully with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office and other local authorities on the investigation.