Posted on 01/13/2006 3:32:00 PM PST by QwertyKPH
A Miramar family is mourning the loss of their toddler after a deadly freak accident. The boy -- Thomaris Waite -- would've turned 2 years old next month. Instead, he became trapped by an electric car window when he inadvertently pressed the switch.
The toddler was in the car with his father, Thomas Waite, who had fallen asleep in the front seat while waiting for his wife and other child. They were in the medical building, 4500 Sheridan Street, visiting a pediatrician.
Thomaris was transported to Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital in critical condition. Unfortunately, he died a short time later.
Investigators say the engine of the 2 Door White Monte Carlo was not running, but the ignition was turned on enabling the radio and windows to be operational. It is believed that somehow the child's head was protruding out the rear passenger window and he accidentally pressed the electric window switch. This resulted in the window going up, where it trapped his head between the window and the roof of the vehicle.
A person leaving the doctor’s office saw the child and thought it was a baby doll hanging out of the window. She was shocked to learn it was indeed a child. As she looked inside the vehicle she noticed Mr. Waite sleeping in the front seat. The witness told police, that’s when she screamed and pounded on the window in order to wake up the victim’s father. The boy was rushed inside the doctor's office for medical assistance until paramedics arrived.
Hollywood Detectives are presently investigating this incident as a Tragic Accidental Death. There is a possibility that criminal charges may result upon the final determination of this investigation. Detectives are awaiting the results from the Medical Examiner's Autopsy.
Years ago I broke someone's hand in a power window - a practical joke gone bad. Some people I knew thought it would be funny if, while parked in a dark driveway, someone would sneak around the car and pretend to be a crook.
The more he screamed, the more I hit the button. I'll be honest, I never really felt guilty about it.
God bless the poor little guy!
Stupidity charges definitely, but where do the criminal charges come from?
That father will be dealing with this for the rest of his life. He doesn't need criminal charges on top of it. Merciful Lord... what an awful thing to happen.
Terrible. This appears to be truely an accident. The authorities (papers please) do not need to add to the family's grief.
Its called "negligent homicide" but this is not the case for that.
Honda windows must be pulled up to raise the window, and are pushed to lower it.
probably child endangerment or negligence.
Yeah, I've seen that too. It definitely makes sense to have them work that way on all cars.
This doesn't pass the smell test. Power windows aren't what they used to be (not sure if it's by law). A 1970's power window could break an arm, the ones in my 2001 couldn't bruise a peach
Yup. I wish Honda would take it one step further and have some sort of "resistance" mechanism that would stop the window from going up like garage doors going down. Wouldn't be that difficulte IMO.
Look for GM to have a HUGE lawsuit over this. I know, I know but it makes no difference. It's just a matter of deep pockets.
Yep, AFAIK all the imports are like that. My Hyundai is. I just read an article recently that wondered why Detroit still used "rocker" switches that would raise the window when accidentially pressed. Seems kinda obvious to me. And apparently has been pointed out the Detroit.
What a shame, this loss seems so avoidable.
I know someone personally who had this happen to their young son. Unbelievably tragic.
It is sometimes amazing that we all survived childhood.
Prayers for the family.
Her favorite toys are knives, outlets, and second story windows. She thinks gravity is a myth and poison is delicious.
Any efforts to prevent her from harming herself are taken as grievous affronts to her personal freedom.
You can't even stop monitoring her behavior when she's asleep.
Sometimes I think the world has gone mad. The accident itself is more than punishment for this poor family. To rip them apart with criminal charges is insane. Further "punishing" them is cruel and unusual.
Leave them alone.
bttt
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.