3-year-old tragically killed in riding lawnmower accident

Police haven’t released the name of the victim.

A 3-year-old boy was tragically killed Sunday in Elizabeth Township after an accident involving a riding lawnmower.

Police have not released the name of the young boy. Elizabeth Township Police Chief Ken Honick said Sunday was hard and emotional for everyone involved.

“The case was opened and closed today, and it was a tough day,” Honick said. “It’s a tragedy. A little boy lost his life in a tragic accident.”

The initial call came in at 11:07 a.m. for a toddler struck by a riding lawn mower in the 3000 block of Skillet Hill Road.

The boy died before first responders arrived.

Police officers, firefighters and EMS providers responded to the scene, including Elizabeth Township police, Elizabeth Township fire and Southeast Regional Emergency Medical Services.

Honick said his department requested backup from Allegheny County because when a death occurs, county protocol stipulates how it must be handled and the medical examiner was needed at the scene.

He confirmed the boy was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, but declined to provide details out of respect for the family, who is mourning an immeasurable loss.

“There is no criminal nexus in this scenario,” Honick said. “This is a tragic story about a little boy who lost his life in a tragic accident. I’ve covered homicides in Washington, D.C., and today, this was the worst case I’ve ever been called to respond to.”