Troopers said the 1-year-old reached West Newberry Road while his family was doing yard work and was struck by a passing car.
JONESVILLE, Fla. — A 1-year-old boy died after wandering away from his family’s home and entering a busy Florida roadway, where he was struck by a car whose driver did not see him, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The collision happened about 3:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, on West Newberry Road east of Northwest 182nd Street in the Jonesville area west of Gainesville. Troopers said the child entered the roadway from a nearby residence as a car traveled west. The boy was taken to a hospital, where he later died.
Florida Highway Patrol investigators released additional details Monday about what happened before the crash. Troopers said members of the boy’s family had been doing yard work at their home when the toddler wandered away. His parents told investigators that they searched the places where they normally expected to find him but could not locate him before he reached the road.
The driver of the westbound vehicle did not see the child before the collision, according to troopers. Authorities have not publicly identified the toddler or the driver. Officials also have not released the make or model of the vehicle involved or described any suspected traffic violation.
The initial report from troopers said only that the boy had entered Newberry Road from a nearby home. The later update provided more information about the family’s activities and the parents’ efforts to find him before the collision. Authorities have not publicly said how long the child was away from his family before reaching the roadway.
West Newberry Road is a major route through the Jonesville area of Alachua County, connecting communities west of Gainesville. Troopers placed the crash east of Northwest 182nd Street but did not release additional details about traffic conditions, visibility or how far the child traveled before entering the road.
Florida Highway Patrol officials said charges are not expected against either the boy’s parents or the driver. The information released by investigators did not indicate that the motorist was speeding, impaired or distracted, and authorities have not announced any citation connected to the fatal collision.
The boy’s name has not been released in the reports reviewed, and authorities have provided no additional information about the hospital where he was treated. Officials also have not released further details about his family, keeping the focus of the investigation on the circumstances that led to the child entering the roadway.
The Florida Highway Patrol’s latest update indicates investigators do not expect criminal charges in connection with the boy’s death. No additional investigative findings or enforcement action had been announced as of Wednesday.
Author note: Last updated November 4, 2026.