PASADENA, Anne Arundel County, Md., Oct. 10, 2026 — A 7-year-old child was hospitalized after being struck by a vehicle on Friday evening, October 9, in the 1100 block of Wharf Drive in Pasadena.
The crash was reported around 5:14 p.m. The child was taken to Johns Hopkins Hospital following the crash, the report said.
No further details on the circumstances of the crash, including what led up to it or whether any charges are expected, have been released. The driver and the extent of the child's injuries have not been publicly identified.
The incident remains under investigation. Authorities have not said whether additional information will be released as the case develops.
We wish the injured a complete and speedy recovery.
Who Is Most at Risk When a Child Is Struck by a Vehicle
Children are among the most exposed pedestrians on residential streets because they are smaller, harder for drivers to see, and less predictable in how they move near traffic. A child darting from between parked cars or crossing without looking both ways can be in a driver's path before there is time to react.
Younger children also have less experience judging a vehicle's speed and distance, which makes narrow residential roads and neighborhood drives, the kind found in many Pasadena subdivisions, places where a momentary lapse in supervision or driver attention can turn serious quickly.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 24 percent of pedestrians killed in traffic crashes were struck by hit-and-run drivers in 2023. That figure reflects a broader pattern in pedestrian crashes generally: once a pedestrian is hit, what happens in the seconds afterward, whether a driver stops and how quickly help arrives, can matter as much as the initial impact.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a driver do immediately after hitting a pedestrian?
Stop right away, call 911, and stay at the scene to provide information and assist until help arrives. Leaving the scene can turn a crash into a criminal matter.
What injuries are common in pedestrian crashes involving children?
Children struck by vehicles usually suffer head injuries, broken bones, and internal injuries. Because they are shorter, impacts frequently involve the torso and head rather than the legs, as can happen with adult pedestrians.
Does vehicle speed affect how severe a pedestrian crash is?
Yes. Lower speeds give drivers more time to stop and reduce the force of any impact, which generally means a better chance of survival and less severe injury for the pedestrian.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Pasadena, MD
Anyone who witnesses or is involved in a pedestrian crash should call 911 immediately and avoid moving an injured person unless there is an immediate danger. Even if injuries seem minor at first, a medical evaluation is important, since some injuries, especially head injuries in children, are not obvious right away.
Parents and caregivers in the area may want to take the opportunity to review safe street-crossing habits with children, including the importance of eye contact with drivers and crossing only at marked locations. Anyone with information about this crash is encouraged to cooperate with local investigators as the case proceeds.
