DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - Family members of a 1-year-old who was struck by an SUV in Deerfield Beach over the weekend, have confirmed that the boy has died.
The toddler has been identified by relatives as 22-month-old Neallie Junior Saxon III. He would have turned 2 in December.
According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office, the incident took place off Northwest Fourth Place and Third Terrace, at around 4:30 p.m., Sunday. Neallie was seriously injured and airlifted to Broward Health Medical Center, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
BSO said Neallie was playing with friends when he ran out into the street and chased after a ball when a car came around the corner and hit the boy.
“She came around the corner, didn’t stop. She came around and hit him and kept going,” said Caroline Cherry, the victim’s grandmother
Investigators said the driver, who has not been identified, was driving within the speed limit when she hit Neallie.
“A 1-year-old laying down like this. How did you not see that?” said Cherry. “If a rock is up under your tire, you feel it. So how did you just keep going after hitting a baby?”
However, investigators said Neallie was shorter than the vehicle’s bumper, and it is unlikely that he would have been visible from her perceptive.
“Because he was so low, anybody could’ve missed it,” said area resident Clifton Brunson, who was riding his bicycle when he witnessed the crash.
Brunson said he also saw the SUV driver’s reaction. “You could see the expression on her face like, ‘Oh my God. Did I really just hit somebody?'” Brunson said.
Anthony Clay described the chaotic scene that unfolded when, he said, the Neallie was hit. “[A woman] was there on the ground holding her baby, crying and pleading,” said Clay. “I never saw the kid stir. That’s what made me think the worst.”
“And she continued to roll down the street slowly,” said Clay, who saw the SUV drive off.
Relatives said the driver did not stop, which led to other family members rushing down the street to physically stop her from getting away.
According to witnesses and BSO, the driver made it to the stop sign at end of the block. The driver then became a victim herself when the family caught up to her and attacked her.
“By that time, they was snatchin’ her out of the car,” said Clay.
Clay said he watched in disbelief as several men pulled the woman from the SUV, brutally beating her as they dragged her down the street to where the child lay lifeless in the road.
“They weren’t just punching her in the face — they were punching her all over,” said Clay. “Punching, pulling, yanking. You know, she’s afraid for her life, and she’s trying to get away with everything in her power. They just were relentless, not letting go.”
Officials confirmed that the driver was taken to the hospital with several fractures to her face and head.
“They beat her pretty bad,” said Clay.
The driver’s condition remains unknown as of Monday afternoon.
Monday afternoon, a toy truck and teddy bear were placed on the grass near the location of the accident.
BSO detectives said they are investigating a traffic homicide and a battery. No charges have been filed.
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