Gary, Ind. Boy, 5, Dies In Head-On Crash
GARY, Ind. (STMW) -- A 5-year-old Glen Park boy died in a head-on crash late Thursday night when his mother crossed into oncoming traffic near Oak Hill Cemetery in Gary, Ind., police said.
Sylvester Anderson Jr. was a back-seat passenger in his family's Pontiac Bonneville when the car struck a Ford Expedition in the other lane, Cpl. Agnes Roberts said.
The driver of the SUV left the scene before speaking to police, Roberts said. Both vehicles had extensive front end damage from the crash. Police towed the SUV from the 4300 block of Harrison Street. Roberts said documents left in the Expedition may help police identify the owner, who faces charges of leaving the scene.
The boy was not in a child restraint seat and suffered blunt force trauma. He died at Methodist Hospitals Northlake campus emergency room about 10:30 p.m., a spokesman for the Lake County Coroner said.
Sylvester's 7-year-old sister was also in the car. She was restrained and suffered only minor injuries. Medics took her to the hospital for evaluation, Roberts said.
Vanessa Anderson, 31, was hospitalized with serious injuries from the crash. Roberts said she was not wearing a seat belt.
The crash is under investigation, Roberts said. Anyone who witnessed the accident or can identify the driver of the Ford Expedition can call Roberts at (219) 881-1217.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2010. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
