Moses Lake, Washington – Child Hospitalized After Being Run Over by Parade Float

Moses Lake, Washington (December 6, 2019) – An eight year-old girl was injured after accidentally being run over by a float during the Moses Lake Agriculture Appreciation Parade that was held on Friday evening in downtown Moses Lake. Members of Grant County Fire District 5 and the Moses Lake Fire Department responded to the incident, providing first aid. The girl was later transported to Samaritan Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. No other injuries were reported in the incident.

The Moses Lake Agriculture Appreciation Parade and Street Party started 5 p.m., with the lighted parade beginning at 7 p.m. The parade’s route starts from the Surf n’ Slide parking lot, and traveled on West Third Avenue, South Division Street and West Fourth Avenue. The patient was reported to be a part of this parade and had tripped, causing her to fall under the vehicle. The float driver was unaware of the child, and she was run over. She is expected to recover from her injuries.

About Pedestrian Accidents

Unfortunately, as shown in this case, pedestrians are at also risk while on the streets, with the National Center for Health Statistics estimating 7, 450  pedestrian deaths in 2017. Pedestrian accidents can fall under traffic or non-traffic depending on the location where they were struck. Traffic incidents happen on public roads, while non-traffic incidents occur on non-traffic areas such as driveways, parking lots and other private property. Most pedestrian deaths occur in urban settings, on urban roads (72%) versus on intersections (18%), and mostly at night. Much like motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents can happen simply because people are not as visible as other vehicles, a problem which is worse during night. And in an event of a car crash, similar to motorcycle drivers and passengers, the risk to pedestrians are greater than those inside a car, with fatality rate being 1.5 times greater than any car passenger.When it comes to risk, older adults, children, and alcohol-impaired drivers or pedestrians are at most risk in pedestrian accidents. The risk is further heightened in a situation where a vehicle is at high speed. Lately, distractions also cause accidents not only for drivers, but also pedestrians, specifically those who are using their phones while crossing the road. We urge everyone to exercise area awareness at all times and to keep their attention on the road. Avoiding accidents not only prevents loss, damage, injuries and death to one’s self, but also on other people in the surroundings.

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Note: The exact location of the incident has not been reported.