4-year boy struck in crosswalk by SUV in Mead

A 4-year-old boy was hospitalized Sunday evening after he was struck by an SUV in a crosswalk in Mead.

Jeremy Ownby was walking with his two sons and a service dog in the intersection of Mill and Hastings roads, near Mead High School, when a Cadillac Escalade turned and struck his son Nicholas shortly after 5 p.m., according to KHQ and the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.

Nicholas was walking ahead of his father, who tried to pull him out of harm’s way. He was hit by the front bumper and dragged several feet before making contact with a front tire, Jeremy Ownby told the TV station.

Sheriff’s Office spokesman Deputy Mark Gregory said the boy was taken to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in stable condition. Ownby said his son’s injuries include fractures around his eye socket and bruising on his lungs and brain; they’re bracing for a long recovery.

Gregory said the SUV was traveling south on Mill and had a green light to turn left onto Hastings. It was dark and raining, and the driver didn’t see the pedestrians, he said.

The driver stayed at the scene and spoke with deputies. Gregory said no drugs or alcohol were involved.

“Start watching out for crosswalks,” Ownby told KHQ. “Look out for our children. These are our future here.”