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Lehi police call crash ‘tragic accident’ after 2-year-old hit, killed by SUV

Posted at 7:32 PM, Mar 28, 2015
and last updated 2015-03-29 18:13:44-04

LEHI, Utah – A 2-year-old boy was hit and killed in Lehi Saturday while he and his father were heading back to their nearby home, and police said the driver of the vehicle had been backing out of a driveway and lost sight of the child.

Police responded to the area of 3479 New Land Loop Saturday at 5:35 p.m., and Chief Darren Paul, Lehi Police Department, said the boy suffered fatal injuries. Police initially said the child is three, but Sunday family members said the boy is two and would have turned three on April 9. Family also identified the child as Tallin Harding, who went by the name “Tui.”

“A father and his 3-year-old son were walking on the side of the road toward their house, and a Dodge Durango was backing out of the driveway,” he said. “As the Dodge Durango turned to pull forward, the child abruptly moved in front of the vehicle. The driver lost sight of the child and struck the child and unfortunately the child was deceased on scene.”

Police said the child was using a scooter or a similar toy, and photos from the area of the crash show several wheeled children’s toys at the scene. Paul said they don’t plan to cite the driver of the Durango.

“Just a tragic accident,” Paul said. “Speed wasn’t a factor, reckless driving not a factor–just a tragedy.”

It was not clear how fast the car was going when it struck the child. The identity of the victim has not been released.