Police: Grandfather was Towing Trailer that Struck, Killed Boy at Parade

By Brandie Jefferson

The trailer that struck and killed a 7-year-old boy at the Annapolis Fourth of July Parade was being towed by a van driven by the boy's grandfather, according to police.

“It’s an unbelievably tragic accident,” Annapolis Mayor Josh Cohen said in a statement released by Annapolis police. “Our entire community’s thoughts and prayers are with the family.”

Cohen said he met with the victim's family last night. 

Preliminary investigation indicates the boy was lining up to enter the parade route on Amos Garrett Boulevard at about 7:10 p.m. He had been sitting on the side of a single-axle trailer that was being pulled by a GMC van. Inside the trailer was a motorcycle used for wheelie simulations by the company iWHEELIE.com. 

According to police, the boy got off the trailer while it was moving; he fell to the ground and was hit by one of the trailer’s tires. The boy died from his injuries at Anne Arundel Medical Center.

Police have not released the victim’s name. 

Police say driver error was not a factor in the incident and that neither were drugs or alcohol. 

The investigation is ongoing and police are asking anyone who witnessed the incident or has any additional information to call the Traffic Safety Unit at 410-268-9000.