Mother Pushing Stroller With Five-Month-Old Baby Inside Is Killed While On Family Vacation After SUV Runs Her Over


A mother from Pittsburgh was killed after she was hit by an SUV while crossing the street in Port Charlotte, Florida. The mother was pushing with her 5-month-old son in a stroller after arriving the night before for a family vacation when the accident took place. The baby was injured in the accident, but is listed in stable condition following the horrifying ordeal.

The Daily Mail reports that a mother-of-two, 35-year-old Mariah Klinefelter, was on vacation in Florida with her husband and two sons when she decided to go for a walk at around 7:00 a.m. on Friday. Mariah took her 5-month-old son with her as she headed out for her morning stroll. While pushing her infant son in his stroller, Mariah began crossing the street. However, as there were no sidewalks on the road Mariah was using, the 55-year-old driver of a passing SUV did not see the mother until it was too late. Mariah was hit and reportedly died instantly from the impact. Her young son was rushed to the hospital with numerous broken bones, but is said to be in stable condition.

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According to ABC-7. the young mother was on vacation in Port Charlotte, Florida, when the horrific accident took place. She was planning to spend the week at Captiva Island with her family, having only arrived to the area Thursday evening. However, before spending time at the beach, the mother-of-two decided to take a walk with her 5-month-old son, which would turn tragic. The woman’s family is devastated by the loss, but neighbors in the area where Mariah was killed are angry.

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Neighbors who witnessed the horrifying aftermath of the crash say that everything could have prevented had the city worked more quickly to put sidewalks in the neighborhood. Local resident Ruth Thurber says that it is unacceptable not to have sidewalks on a “main road,” and that this devastating tragedy could have been prevented if the sidewalks would have been implemented earlier.

“It would be safer if we had our sidewalks. And the sidewalks are coming, but let’s get them here where they belong next.”

It was noted that new sidewalks are currently being built in parts of the South Gulf Cove neighborhood, but have not yet began on Appleton Boulevard, where the mother was killed. Residents say they want to see construction dates moved up following the horrific tragedy.

The Post-Gazette notes that Mariah Klinefelter was a lawyer from Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania, who worked for the law firm Steptoe & Johnson. The mother specialized in labor and employment and had previously worked as an attorney for Fedex Ground, Eckert Seamans, McGuireWoods, and U.S. Steel. The law firm says they lost a “very talented” lawyer and are sending their prayers to Klinefelter’s family.

“What I said to our people is that she’s a very talented labor and employment lawyer and we’re very sorry to lose her. And our prayers are with her family. She’d been with us long enough to be very special.”

The driver of the SUV has been identified as 55-year-old Allen Peterson from Port Charlotte. The driver remained at the scene following the accident, and police note that no charges are pending against the driver. Instead, the death is being called a horrible accident, with neighbors and locals hoping the city will act swiftly in installing sidewalks for pedestrians.

A GoFundMe Page has been setup to help support Klinefelter’s husband and two young sons during this extremely difficult time.

[Image via GoFundMe]

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