A 4-year-old Georgia boy was killed Sunday afternoon when his father unknowingly backed over the child in a driveway, authorities said.

Lamar County sheriff’s deputies, medical personnel and Georgia State Patrol troopers were called to the home on Shady Brooke Lane, which is near Barnesville and about 65 miles south of downtown Atlanta.

The father, William French, 36, of Barnesville, was backing up in his Toyota pickup truck when William French Jr., 4, ran behind him, the Georgia State Patrol told AJC.com.

The child later died of his injuries at Spalding Regional Hospital, the GSP said. It does not appear alcohol was involved, Channel 2 Action News reported.

The incident is still under investigation.

The father is not expected to face charges, the GSP said.

About the Authors

Keep Reading

An aerial photo shows some of the homes in Buckhead nestled in trees against part of the Atlanta skyline. Atlanta has adopted a goal of 50% canopy coverage, but the city’s tree cover has been short of that mark for years. (Hyosub Shin/AJC 2021)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Featured

The Midtown Atlanta skyline is shown in the background as an employee works in Cargill's new office, Jan. 16, 2025, in Atlanta.  (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com