OCALA, Fla. – A 3-year-old was ejected from a car and injured Tuesday night when a 35-year-old woman driving on a suspended license ran a red light in Ocala and struck the vehicle in which the child was riding, police said.
The wreck happened around 8:35 p.m. at North Pine Avenue and NW 35th Street.
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Ocala police said the woman was driving an Acura ILX and T-boned a Toyota Scion driven by a 24-year-old woman, the mother of the child.
The impact caused the child to be ejected from the Toyota, police said. The 3-year-old was taken to Shands Hospital in Gainesville and was in stable condition, authorities said.
There was a car seat in the vehicle, but the child was not restrained in it, according to police.
The driver of the Acura had a suspended license and the vehicle was not currently registered, police said.
“The Ocala Police Department urges everyone to pay attention while driving and to stop at red lights,” Ocala police said in a statement. “If you are driving with small children, make sure you have them secured in a proper child safety seat. Always be aware of your surroundings and follow all traffic laws.”
Police initially stated that the child was an infant but later issued a correction.
“UPDATE & CORRECTION: Last night, we reported that an infant was ejected from a vehicle in a crash. It was actually a 3-year-old child who was ejected. We apologize for the confusion and want to ensure that you have the most accurate information available. Thank you for your understanding,” an online post stated.
Northbound lanes of Pine Avenue and all lanes of NW 35th Street were closed after the wreck.
The crash is under investigation.
No other details have been released.
Driver Runs Red Light, Child Ejected in Crash https://t.co/uwWY3C3nNQ pic.twitter.com/dDfamPfHs6
— Ocala Police (@ocalapd) December 20, 2023