A 22-month-old Georgia boy died Wednesday after he and his father were struck by a car in a shopping center parking lot in Gainesville, Georgia, according to Gainesville Police. Knox Skelton, just shy of his second birthday, was window-shopping with his father, Samuel Skelton, a Gainesville firefighter, when a white SUV accidentally accelerated over a curb while parking at the Limestone Marketplace, hitting them. Knox suffered critical injuries in the incident, police said.
Knox Skelton was flown to a hospital in Atlanta following the crash, where he later died. His father, Samuel Skelton, was also injured but did not require medical treatment, according to police reports. Gainesville Police Capt. Kevin Holbrook stated that Samuel Skelton was holding his son, Knox, with his back to the vehicle, and "didn't even know what was coming, didn't see what was coming." Capt. Holbrook also confirmed that Samuel Skelton and his wife, Kiana Skelton, were able to travel to Atlanta to say goodbye to their son before his death.
The driver of the SUV, identified by police as a 68-year-old woman, remained at the scene after the accident and cooperated with officers. She is not currently facing any charges, police confirmed. Capt. Holbrook characterized the event as "just a tragic accident, altogether," noting that the elderly female driver did not intentionally cause the incident. Police officials have impounded the car as evidence, and are investigating its brakes and tires, in addition to reviewing cellphone data. Capt. Holbrook indicated that after the investigation is complete, the case will be presented to the district attorney or solicitor general, who will then determine if any criminal charges will be filed against the driver. A decision on potential charges could be made within weeks, Holbrook added.
The Gainesville Fire Department publicly expressed its sorrow and support for the Skelton family. In a social media post released Thursday, the department shared a photo of the Skelton family and described Samuel and Kiana Skelton as "humble, caring, and genuine people." The department stated it was "heartbroken by this tragedy" and called on the community to "surround the Skelton family with love, prayers, and support as they navigate this incredibly difficult time." The fire department also acknowledged the profound impact the incident had on its own staff members who responded to the crash, noting they were faced with the realization that the victim was one of their own. "They, too, are carrying the weight of this tragedy," the department stated.
In a show of community support, members of the Gainesville Fire Department organized a fundraiser to assist Samuel and Kiana Skelton. As of early Sunday, the fundraising effort had collected more than $65,000 for the family. Capt. Holbrook also spoke to the emotional toll such an event takes on first responders and the community, noting that while law enforcement often compartmentalizes, "at some point, you can only keep that compartmentalized for so long." He described the emotional difficulty of discussing the loss of a young child in the community.