Vehicle hits tow truck, critically injuring boy

4/9/2004

An unrestrained 2 1/2-year-old boy was hurt seriously yesterday when his mother's vehicle rear-ended an unoccupied tow truck on Berdan Avenue near Haverhill Drive in West Toledo, authorities said.

RaShad Craig, of 36 Wayman Palmer Ct., was in critical condition in St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center. His mother, Volonda Carter, 20, of the Wayman Palmer address, also was taken to the hospital, police said. However, a hospital spokesman said she didn't have her listed at the hospital.

Ms. Carter was driving west on Berdan about 9:05 a.m. when she said someone cut her off in traffic. She hit the brakes, and her vehicle slid into the back of the stopped tow truck. The truck driver was inside a disabled Toledo Public Schools bus that was in front of the tow truck. The truck driver was not hurt, police said.

The toddler was in the back seat of his mother's vehicle. He was not in a car seat or secured by a seat belt. Police believe the boy may have hit the back of the front seat during the crash. The accident remains under investigation.