Tuesday morning, the Arlington Police Department was notified by hospital staff that a 9-month-old boy who was involved in a vehicle crash this past weekend has passed away from his injuries.

On Sunday, December 12, 2021, at approximately 1:56 p.m., officers responded to a rollover crash in the eastbound lanes of I-20 near the Hwy 287 Interchange.

Investigators determined that the driver of a 2009 Ford Escape SUV suddenly veered in front of an 18-wheeler, causing the 18-wheeler to strike the back of the SUV. The impact resulted in the Escape going off the roadway and rolling multiple times down an embankment.

A total of seven people were inside the Escape, which is designed to seat five people. The 9-month-old boy, who investigators believe was sitting unrestrained in an adult passenger’s lap at the time, was ejected from the vehicle.

He and five additional passengers were transported to area hospitals. None of the remaining passengers’ injuries are considered life threatening. The driver of the Escape and the driver of the 18-wheeler were not seriously injured.

The investigation into why the driver of the Escape veered in front of the 18-wheeler is ongoing.

The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office will identify the deceased once next of kin have been notified.

The Arlington Police Department wants to remind the public that state law requires all children younger than eight years old, unless they are taller than 4’9”, to be properly secured in a child safety seat whenever they ride in a vehicle.