Toddler killed and firefighter injured in parking mishap at Georgia shopping center
A 68-year-old driver unintentionally accelerated over a curb at Limestone Marketplace, striking off-duty firefighter Samuel Skelton and his 22-month-old son, Knox, who later died.
At the Limestone Marketplace in Georgia, a driver trying to park a 2024 Ford Edge inadvertently accelerated over the curb and hit off-duty Gainesville firefighter Samuel Skelton, who was holding his 22-month-old son, Knox. The toddler was rushed by air ambulance to a children’s hospital in Atlanta, where he later died from his injuries. Samuel suffered only minor injuries and did not need medical care.
The driver, 68-year-old Teresa Parker, was attempting to use a handicap parking spot when the incident occurred, stayed at the scene, and has not faced charges so far. Gainesville Police Capt. Kevin Holbrook described the event as a tragic accident with no intent. The fire department has asked the community to support the grieving family, and the crash remains under investigation.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the dangers of careless parking maneuvers and their impact on public safety.
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