Brian Hamacher

Child Struck By Miami Police Car, Rushed to Hospital

A 6-year-old boy was rushed to the hospital after he was struck by a City of Miami Police car Wednesday.

Investigators said the child darted out into the roadway on Northwest 5th Avenue, just west of Northwest 58th Street.

The boy, who was riding a blue scooter at the time, suddenly appeared from between two parked trucks, making it difficult for the officer to see him before the incident occurred, according to investigators.

The officer, family members and neighbors rendered aid to the boy, identified as Antwan Lawson.

"I grabbed him and was holding him until the ambulance came, and I was trying to talk to him," said Janet Martinez, Antwan's mother.

The child was transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center where he was listed in stable condition. His family said he has a broken pelvis, broken leg and multiple cuts and bruises.

The incident remains under investigation, but police said it does not appear that speed was a factor in the crash. However, Martinez disagrees.

"He shouldn't have been riding down a street, where kids play every day, 60 miles per hour with no lights on, no sirens, no nothing. Like, it's negligence," Martinez said.

"He's stable and we're praying for him that he's gonna come out good," said Caridad Velez, Antwan's grandmother.

Police said the officer was en route to drop off paperwork to another officer down the block when the crash happened.

Contact Us