Jacksonville toddler dies after mom accidentally hit him with car

A Jacksonville toddler died after his mom accidentally backed into him and ran him over Monday morning, officers said.

Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said a relative was watching Kristopher Jackson, Jr. and another small child when Christopher wandered from an apartment.

Photos: Jacksonville boy, 2, run over by car

Officers said the boy's mom accidentally hit him as she was backing out of a parking spot at Mathews Crossing Apartments on Century 21 Drive.

He was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries and later died.

JSO said the boy's mom did not show any indications of impairment.

She shared a statement with Action News Jax:

God is now allowing me to share Kristoper James Jackson Jr with the world...He was perfect in my eyes and even though this was a fatal accident I will never be the same... I aways (sic) made sure I was aware of my children were abouts (sic) and I hope it helps others to be aware that know (sic) matter what.... make sure you keep an eye out for your child or children but also all children...I don't feel there was anything I could've done to prevent this I did everything I was suppose (sic) to do as a mother and despite me feeling like there was more that I've could've done it was something that I had no control over ...I made sure he was in the house with my mother before I got in the car...I checked my mirrors..I just was so sure that it wasnt my baby that I just backed up on..but it was ...I cherished my boy ....he is still and always will be my pride and joy....I just ask that those who know me and don't know me respect the healing process..."

Neighbors described a very large scene early Monday morning inside the apartment complex.

“There was caution tape all around and five cops patrolling,” said resident Edward, who lives a few units down from where the incident occurred. “It hurts me. I have kids."

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Domonique Flowers came home from work early Monday morning and asked Action News Jax what was going on.

“It’s definitely a tragedy,” Flowers said after the Action News Jax team updated him on the incident.

Action News Jax reporter Cole Heath found that such incidents happen more frequently than people realize, according to kidsandcars.org.

The site shows in the United States, at least 50 children are backed over by a vehicle every week.

Out of that number, 70 percent of the cases involve a parent or close relative behind the wheel, with most of the victims being between 1 year and 23 months old.

JSO has ruled the incident an accidental death and the investigation is ongoing.

Cox Media Group