1-year-old killed after crawling onto highway while his family was doing yard work

A 1-year-old boy died on Friday afternoon after wandering onto a road in Jonesville, Florida, where he was struck by a vehicle, state authorities said.

Florida Highway Patrol troopers reported that the child’s parents were doing yard work at their residence when the toddler walked away unnoticed.

According to officials, the parents searched for the boy in locations he typically frequented, but he managed to reach the nearby roadway before they could locate him.

The driver of the vehicle was unable to see the toddler prior to the collision, authorities said. The child was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Investigators stated that charges are not expected to be filed against either the driver or the parents, as reported by ABC affiliate WCJB.

On social media, reaction to the incident reflected sympathy and debate over supervision.

While many expressed condolences for the family and support for the driver, others noted how quickly young children can wander off outdoors or raised questions about early reports from the scene.