Virginia Injury Lawyer Blog

Virginia Beach grandmother killed when struck by minivan

Scarlet A. Harvell of Virginia Beach died Monday when she was struck and killed by her own minivan as she unloaded groceries.

Harvell died after her young granddaughter apparently climbed behind the wheel, put the van into gear, and accidentally struck her grandmother, WVEC-TV reported.

Neighbors told the TV station that Harvell’s adult daughter just died of cancer, and that she was raising her grandchildren.

The accident happened at around 3 p.m. in the 1000 block of Minneapolis Drive, the Daily Press of Newport News reported.

As Harvell unloaded groceries, the child apparently was able to get the minivan moving. Harvell was struck by an open door, the Daily Press said, knocking her to the ground. She suffered a serious head injury and died at 6:40 p.m. the following day.

Though WVEC reported that the child was behind the wheel, authorities said only that a family member was operating the minivan.

The Daily Press said police are investigating the matter and have not filed any charges in the accident. The case will eventually be forwarded to the commonwealth attorney’s office.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has this advice to keep children from unintentionally putting an auto into gear:

–     Teach kids not to play in and around cars

–     When a car is unattended, make sure it is locked

–     Keep a close eye on kids when they are in or near a car

–     Activate the emergency brake every time you park

–     Only drive a car with a brake transmission safety interlock. 

Labels: minivan minneapolis drive rollaway Scarlet A. Harvell Scarlet Harvell Virginia Beach