A 73-year-old Heathcote Junction woman has handed herself into police following a hit-run in Sunshine North on Thursday night.
Police said a three-year-old boy was critically injured in the incident on McIntyre Road about 6.30pm. He was taken to the Royal Children’s Hospital, where he later died.
Superintendent John Fitzpatrick said the woman handed her herself into a police station in the northern suburbs about 9.30am on Friday.
Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives will interview the woman later today.
A red sedan allegedly involved in the collision has been seized and will be forensically tested.
“Having a quick look at the vehicle it is pretty evident that you would know that you hit something. But whether that driver knew that they had hit a child is something that is yet to be determined,” Superintendent Fitzpatrick said.
Superintendent Fitzpatrick said the child had been dragged under the car for up to 30 metres.
He said police were still working to determine whether the boy was being picked up from a nearby child centre, however they had confirmed the boy was walking with his mother and broke free before attempting to cross the road.
Superintendent Fitzpatrick said police did not believe speed was a factor in the incident, given the volume of traffic on McIntrye Road at the time of the incident.
He said the boy’s mother was “beside herself with grief”.
“As you can imagine, losing a beautiful young child like that is going to be devastating.”
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers in 1800 333 000.
