An 11-month-old infant was killed after he was hit by a car in Orange County. Around 4:15 p.m. on April 2, one driver lost control of his vehicle which caused him to go over a curb and strike an entire family walking along a sidewalk. The crash was located in the Las Flores area near Antonio Parkway and Oak Tree Lane.
WHO WAS THE AT-FAULT DRIVER?
The at-fault driver’s vehicle with a shattered windshield after the incident. Source: KTLA.
The at-fault driver was revealed to be 54-year-old Daniel Lenihan from San Clemente. He was driving north in a 2017 Hyundai Sonata. While heading across Antonio Parkway, he lost control of his vehicle and left the roadway. During this process, he struck a family as they were walking on the sidewalk with their kid in a stroller.
California Highway Patrol revealed that the driver drove on the sidewalk for several hundred feet before striking the family.
The at-fault driver was sent to the hospital after the incident occurred. However, he was suspected to be driving under the influence of drugs so he was sent to the Orange County Jail in Santa Ana. Also, Daniel Lenihan now faces vehicular manslaughter charges for the death of the young child.
INFANT KILLED AND HIS PARENTS SEVERELY INJURED
Kyle and Hayley Ohlwiler with their 11-month-old boy Madden. Source: Daily Mail.
First responders found the injured victims along with the at-fault driver’s Hyundai.
The family of three included the 11-month-old infant as well as a 34-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman. The parents were identified as Kyle and Hayley Ohlwiler. The young infant was their son named Madden. After the accident occurred, they were sent to the hospital to be treated for their serious injuries. Additionally, the family resides in Rancho Santa Margarita.
According to KTLA, Orange County Fire Authority paramedics, hospital doctors, and nurses all exhibited tremendous effort to save the child’s life. Although, the infant could not survive the injuries that were suffered. Therefore, the child was devastatingly pronounced dead at Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo. The child was tragically killed days before his first birthday which would have been April 7.
MOURNING THE WRONGFUL DEATH OF THE YOUNG KID
Wreckage of the at-fault driver’s Hyundai Sonata after striking a family of three in Orange County. Source: KTLA.
A witness named Patricia Staes posted on Facebook saying “I witnessed a horrific accident. Two people flew through the air. I rendered assistance, possible fatality.”
Moreover, anyone that has information about the fatal crash is advised to contact California Highway Patrol Officer Kinsey at (949) 670-7030.
A GoFundMe was launched to cover medical and funeral expenses. In three hours the fundraiser received well over $25,000. In fact, the GoFundMe page reached almost $250,000 by May 5.
Accidents like these should never happen and it is a true tragedy when one does occur. Our hearts go out to the Ohlwiler family.
If you have any questions regarding a child injury case, you should contact a child injury attorney immediately.