Child struck, killed by golf cart
A three-year-old girl from Aiken was struck and killed by a golf cart early Tuesday morning, WFXG reported.
The child was hit by a golf cart driven by a security guard at the Aiken Regional Medical Center where she received medical attention not related to the golf cart collision.
After the collision, she was treated in the emergency department at the ARMC, but was then airlifted to Georgia Regents Medical Center where she died at 6:52 a.m.
Police said that a security guard at the hospital was driving the golf cart, however the identity of the driver has not been released. The Aiken Department of Public Safety’s Accident Reconstruction Team is investigating how the child was hit, which may include speed determination and a collection of data from the scene.
An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday morning to determine the cause of death.
Richland Coroner announces plan to reduce infant deaths
Richland County Coroner Gary Watts announced the “Sleep Right through the Night” campaign Tuesday at a press conference, The State reported.
The program is being put into place to try and reduce the amount of needless infant deaths in the state. Since 2012, 435 infants statewide under the age of one have died with the cause of death being unsafe sleeping conditions including 16 infants dying in Richland county.
Watts said that the leading reasons for this many infant deaths is sleeping with a caregiver who rolls over onto the baby and suffocates them, clutter in an infant’s crib blocking their airways and babies not sleeping on their backs.
The campaign will consist of six-second ads on digital billboards in the area, classes offered to parents and caregivers as well as reaching out to local hospitals and pediatricians.
Union couple charged with second-degree assault
A Union couple, Donnie and Tammy Todd, were arrested Tuesday for second-degree assault and battery, WHNS reported.
The incident started when the victim stopped by her father’s house Tuesday, where the couple was staying. Donnie hit the victim in the face through the screen door, after which his wife also hit her in the face, according to the police report.
During the incident, Donnie began holding the victim down while his dog began to bite her.
When asked what happened, Donnie said that he heard someone break into his house while the two were sleeping.
Tammy had blood on her arms and hands and when asked about it, she said that she fell and hurt her nose.
According to the report, the victim’s father heard the commotion and was punched by Donnie as well but did not press charges. His daughter had cuts on her neck and leg along with a busted lip, according to the report.