Child dies after van carrying 5 kids collides with car, police say

Sept. 25--A van carrying five children collided with a car Saturday night in Gulfport, and an 8-year-old boy who was inside the van later died from injuries sustained in the crash, Gulfport Sgt. Damon McDaniel said.

Gulfport police responded the intersection of U.S. 49 and Orange Grove Road at 8:43 p.m. Saturday after a report of vehicle crash with injuries. McDaniel said American Medical Response and Gulfport Fire personnel were dispatched to the accident.

McDaniel said a Dodge Charger with two people inside was traveling southbound on U.S. 49 toward Orange Grove Road when a Dodge Caravan turned in front of the car, causing the crash.

"The collision caused the Dodge Caravan to spin and overturn," McDaniel said.

The driver of the van had five children in the vehicle, McDaniel said, and none of them were wearing child restraints or seat belts.

Gulfport Fire Department District Chief Ian Barna said the wreck appeared to be a head-on collision.

The children's ages ranged from two to 10 years old, he said.

"When we arrived, they were all outside the vehicle. We immediately put the 8-year-old into an ambulance and sent him to the hospital," he said.

The six people inside of the Dodge Caravan were taken to Garden Park Hospital where the 8-year-old boy was pronounced dead, McDaniel said.

McDaniel said the identity of the boy child has not yet been released by Harrison County Coroner Gary Hargrove.

Two other children are in serious condition, Gulfport Chief Mike Beyerstedt said, and were transported to Garden Park by helicopter.

McDaniel said the driver of the van was unlicensed and was issued citations for no driver's license, running a red light, no proof of insurance, seat belt violations, child restraint violations, possession of marijuana and DUI.

The driver and passenger inside of the Dodge Charger were taken to Memorial Hospital at Gulfport for treatment of injuries.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Justin Vicory: 228-896-2326, @justinvicory

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