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MILLERSVILLE, Md - A 7-year-old boy died Sunday night after falling from a moving car onto Interstate 97, where he was struck by another vehicle that fled the scene, Maryland State Police said.
The tragic incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. near Route 32 in Anne Arundel County.
According to investigators, the boy was a passenger in a northbound 2011 Mazda 3 driven by his grandmother.
Authorities said the child opened the rear window and fell onto the highway. Moments later, he was struck by what police believe to be a 2016 to 2019 Honda Civic, which did not stop after the collision.
Police are now searching for the vehicle, which may have damage to the front left wheel well.
Maryland State Police spokesperson Elena Russo described the incident as "incredibly tragic for everyone involved."
"We believe the 7-year-old was in his child safety seat — whether it was buckled properly or not or how he got out of that is still part of the investigation," Russo said. "But we believe he was able to exit the vehicle by getting out of the rear window."
The incident unfolded in the dark on a busy stretch of highway, and police noted the Honda driver may not have realized what happened.
A witness told police he saw the boy fall from the car. An Amazon driver also stopped after spotting something in the road, pulled the boy to safety, and called 911.
The child was pronounced dead at the scene.
"This is a stark reminder of how vigilant we must be about children’s safety, how they are seated, and belted in the backseat," Russo emphasized.
Police are asking anyone with information to contact the Maryland State Police Glen Burnie Barrack.
No charges have been filed, and the investigation is ongoing.