Annapolis community ‘devastated’ after toddler accidentally struck and killed by car

BALTIMORE — An Annapolis community is heartbroken after a 2-year-old boy was struck and killed by a car Tuesday afternoon in what police said was an accident.

“The whole neighborhood, everybody is devastated by what happened here,” neighbor Mike Mattingly said.

Officer Cody Aguilar Gomez stepped off a curb and into the path of an oncoming vehicle as his mother was removing a second child from their car on Americana Drive.

“My heart is heavy because the reality is this is every parent’s worst nightmare,” said Annapolis Police Chief Ed Jackson.

Jackson said the driver was unaware he had hit the child and when he discovered it, he contacted police.

“It was an accident and a very tragic event,” Jackson said.

Installation of a memorial

A growing memorial of flowers, candles and toys is being set up for the child at an apartment complex along Americana Drive.

Referring to the memorial, one neighbor said it was nothing compared to the way the neighborhood was gripped by grief following the incident.

“It’s minor compared to what the community is feeling, because we’re all heartbroken,” Katie Dowd said.

The Annapolis Police Department will have mobile crisis and critical incident response teams in the community to provide support. The CIT hotline is 410-768-5522.