Mother Runs Over Toddler In Driveway
Child Died Instantly, State Patrol Says
CONIFER, Colo. -- A Conifer mother accidentally ran over and
killed her one-year-old daughter in the driveway of the family's Jefferson County
home Wednesday afternoon, according to investigators.
One-year-old Shannon Wichael died at the scene.
The mother, Sharon Wichael, 39, had placed four of her children, ages 4 to 11, inside the family's 1999 Chevy Suburban in the dirt driveway of their mountain home in the 28000 block of Tallpines Lane about 1:25 p.m., authorities said.
The mother also placed Shannon's child safety seat in the back seat, Jefferson County sheriff's detective Jacki Tallman said.
"The mother loaded her kids in the car, she put it in reverse, and started to back out, and heard a noise outside the vehicle," Tallman said. "It was something that caught her attention immediately, and she realized the toddler was not in the vehicle."
Colorado State Patrol spokesman Rod Campbell said that investigators were uncertain whether the child was standing or lying behind the vehicle when she was hit.
"All of that is under investigation." Campbell said.
Investigators said that alcohol didn't appear to play a role in the
accident, and friends and family members gathered Wednesday night
outside Wichael's home.
One-year-old Shannon Wichael died at the scene.
The mother, Sharon Wichael, 39, had placed four of her children, ages 4 to 11, inside the family's 1999 Chevy Suburban in the dirt driveway of their mountain home in the 28000 block of Tallpines Lane about 1:25 p.m., authorities said.
The mother also placed Shannon's child safety seat in the back seat, Jefferson County sheriff's detective Jacki Tallman said.
"The mother loaded her kids in the car, she put it in reverse, and started to back out, and heard a noise outside the vehicle," Tallman said. "It was something that caught her attention immediately, and she realized the toddler was not in the vehicle."
Colorado State Patrol spokesman Rod Campbell said that investigators were uncertain whether the child was standing or lying behind the vehicle when she was hit.
"All of that is under investigation." Campbell said.
Investigators said that alcohol didn't appear to play a role in the
accident, and friends and family members gathered Wednesday night
outside Wichael's home.Copyright 2002 by TheDenverChannel.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
