Local News in Brief : Orange : Child Killed by Van Pulling Out of Driveway

A 22-month-old boy died Thursday after being run over by a van that was pulling out of a residential driveway, police said.

The child was playing beside a curb when he was hit at about 6:35 p.m. by the van in the 100 block of South Hamlin Street, Police Department spokesman Timm Browne said.

The child’s mother had gone to visit her husband in the hospital and left the boy in the care of his aunt, Browne said. The child cried when his mother left, so he was taken outside to wave goodby, Browne said. Moments later, the accident occurred. There were several children and an adult in the immediate area, he said.

The van had rear windows but “the driver obviously didn’t see the small child,” Browne said.

Police Sgt. Milt Galbraith administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation at the scene until paramedics arrived, Browne said. The boy died shortly after 8 p.m. at Western Medical Center in Santa Ana, he said.

Police declined to release the name of the child or the adults in the family, Browne said.

Officers were questioning the driver of the van, an Orange resident who was visiting at the location. But Browne said no arrest was expected.