'Curb jump' kills toddler in Georgia parking lot

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, October 14, 2026

A toddler was killed after being struck by a vehicle while in the arms of his father, an off-duty firefighter, at a shopping center in Gainesville, Georgia. The driver, who accidentally accelerated onto the curb while parking, has not been charged, and authorities are still investigating the crash.

A toddler died after being struck by a vehicle at a shopping center in Georgia on Wednesday, according to local authorities. The incident occurred at Limestone Marketplace in Gainesville when an off-duty firefighter, Samuel Skelton, was holding his 22-month-old son, Knox Skelton, outside the shopping area.

Gainesville Police reported that a 68-year-old driver, identified as Teresa Parker, was attempting to park a 2024 Ford Edge in a handicap space when she accidentally accelerated over the curb, hitting both Skelton and his son. Emergency responders arrived quickly, but the toddler succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

Parker stayed at the location following the incident and, as of the latest update, has not been charged. The police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision.

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