Georgia has some very specific laws when it comes to child safety seats, also called car seats, aimed at protecting children. Children under 8 years of age must be seated in a height-appropriate car seat in the back seat of the car. If the child is taller than 4’9”, they may wear a safety belt instead of sitting in a car seat, but they must still sit in the back seat if under 8 years of age. Car seats greatly improve the chances of a small child surviving a fatal accident, but they can fail in the most serious of accidents.
The Macon Telegraph reports on a fatal accident that claimed the life of an infant in a car seat.
On the morning of July 12th at about 8:20 a.m., Monroe County Sheriff’s Deputies were called out to the scene of a horrific crash.
The crash occurred on Georgia 83 between Jeffrey Way and Abernathy Road. A 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche collided with a 2006 Nissan Altima.
24-year-old Carol Foster was trapped in the Altima. By the time that she was extricated, she was pronounced dead at the scene. A 10-month-old boy that was traveling with Foster was airlifted from Monroe Hospital to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston.
50-year-old Howard M. Zach, the driver of the Avalanche, also suffered from fatal injuries.
Witnesses reported that the Nissan Altima crossed the center line, directly into the path of the oncoming Avalanche.
Unfortunately, the 10-month-old died at the hospital a few days following the accident, according to the Telegraph. He was seated in a car set in the rear seat of the vehicle.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the accident.
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