Mother provides update on 8-year-old boy involved in crash with SPD officer

SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) – Regina Sanders, the mother of the 8-year-old boy, said, “I’ve never experienced anything like this.”

She says her son has been moving his legs slightly and coughing since he was hospitalized after the crash. Those are the only progress in the boy’s condition.

“I’m just trying to be strong for my other two kids at home,” Sanders said.

The incident happened Monday evening around 6:30 p.m. at the intersection of 23rd Street and Maple Avenue.

According to department officials, the child was riding a dirt bike when an officer left the scene of another call. That’s when they say the officer hit the child.

The 8-year-old boy was airlifted to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. The child remains in hospital as of Thursday.

The officer was unharmed and was placed on administrative duty.

The Sarasota Police Department is working with the Florida Highway Patrol in this investigation. It remains an active investigation.