An Annapolis boy was in critical condition Monday at Children?s Hospital in Washington after he was struck by a sport utility vehicle Friday night.
Anne Arundel County police said the accident was caused by the child darting into the road, and the driver of the SUV probably will not face charges.
Matthew Lawrence Verklin, 18, also of Annapolis, was driving a Nissan Pathfinder north on Soloman?s Island Road, near Forest Drive in Annapolis, shortly after 7 p.m. Friday when Jermaine Wellman ran across the road from Verklin?s left, according to police. Jermaine turned 9 last week, police records say.
Police said Verklin hit the brakes but was unable to avoid hitting the boy. After being struck, the boy was “projected forward” and sustained serious head injuries, according to Cpl. Sara Schriver, spokeswoman for the Anne Arundel County Police Department. He was airlifted to the hospital.
Police said a lack of overhead street lighting and the dark clothing being worn by the boy were contributing factors in the accident. Verklin was not speeding, police said.
“If they?re not following pedestrian law ? they?re not in the right,” Schriver said of the public misconception that the pedestrian always has the right of way. Schriver said the boy was not using a designated crosswalk.
Police are still investigating why Jermaine was running across the road.
