Mother provides an update on an 8-year-old boy who died in an accident with an SPD officer

SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) – Regina Sanders, the mother of an 8-year-old boy, said, “I’ve never been through anything like this before.”

She reports that her son has had slight leg movement and a cough since being admitted to the hospital following the accident. This is the only progress in the boy’s condition.

“I’m just trying to be strong for my other two kids at home,” Sanders said.

The incident occurred Monday evening around 6:30 p.m. at the intersection of 23rd Street and Maple Avenue.

According to department officials, the child was riding a motorcycle when the officer left the scene on another call. They say the officer then hit the child.

An 8-year-old boy was transported by helicopter to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. The child has been in hospital since Thursday.

The officer was unharmed and was placed on administrative duties.

The Sarasota Police Department is cooperating with the Florida Highway Patrol on this investigation. This remains an active investigation.