A toddler was killed by a drunk driver after he “wandered into the road” while following his dad outside in South Carola.
David Ronald Metz was arrested and charged with one felony count of DUI involving death in connection to the boy’s killing.
Officers responded to the scene after they received a report about a pedestrian crash that took place near El Latino Bar and Grill on South Murray Avenue around 8:15 p.m. on Monday, April 13, according to WSPA. The child had critical injuries when emergency crew arrived and he was transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
The Anderson County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as 14-month-old Christopher Rodrigo Perez Tapia. His cause of death was determined to be multiple traumatic injuries and the manner of death was ruled as accidental, according to WYFF.
The child’s parents were cleaning the restaurant after it closed when the father stepped outside to take out the trash, according to WHNS. Investigators said that the father did not realize the toddler followed him and the child then “wandered into the road.” The boy was then hit by Metz’s truck.
The crash unfolded quickly, making it difficult for witnesses to intervene once the toddler walked into the street. After Metz, 62, hit the boy, he allegedly continued driving before he turned around and returned to the scene.
While the boy’s death has been ruled an accident, authorities said that Metz’s impairment contributed to the crash.
“Yes, the child was in the roadway when he was hit. But at the same time, if the driver would not have been under the influence, he may, could have reacted a little bit quicker and switched lanes,” coroner’s office employee Alyssa Whitfield told WYFF.
A judge set Metz’s bail at $60,000 and ordered him to wear a GPS monitoring device if he is released, according to Anderson Independent Mail. The judge also prohibited him from contacting the victim’s family or returning to the business where the crash took place.
The toddler’s family did not attend the bond hearing, though a victim’s advocate from the police department reportedly appeared at the hearing on their behalf. The advocate requested that Metz be held in custody without bond.
“The family is devastated,” Anderson Police Detective McKindra Bibb said, per the outlet. “They are unable to even pull it together enough to come to court this afternoon. It’s been less than 24 hours since their baby died.”
The report added that defense attorney Austin McDaniel told the court that Metz had deep ties to the community and had no prior convictions. He also said that Metz had sympathy for the victim’s family.
It’s not currently clear if Metz has entered a plea. He is next scheduled to appear in court on June 11.
An investigation into the crash remains ongoing.
