No charges filed in July parking lot death of toddler

The driver whose vehicle struck and killed a toddler in the parking lot at St. Luke Apartments in northern Henrico July 24 will not face charges, Henrico Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor announced Monday.

The incident occurred when the toddler was walking with her mother, then darted into the path of an oncoming vehicle in the parking lot and was struck and killed.

Taylor’s office reviewed surveillance video from the complex that showed the entire incident, which she termed an “accident almost beyond comprehension.”

"The results of that investigation are that the driver stopped immediately, was not speeding and was not violating any traffic laws and has cooperated thoroughly with the investigation into the incident,” Taylor said in a statement. “The mother was also behaving responsibly. Unfortunately, this is just a horrific tragedy.

“All out there who witnessed the event, to include the driver, have suffered unimaginable trauma. The family, their friends, will never recover from the loss of this small child and the loss of a life filled with potential.
“My heart goes out to all involved, the parents and the family, and my prayers are with them. I pray they find peace and comfort in their profound grief."

Henrico Police officials previously had interviewed everyone involved with the incident, Taylor said.