A 22-month-old toddler named Knox Skelton died after being hit by a car at a Georgia shopping center while with his off-duty firefighter father, Samuel Skelton. The incident occurred when Teresa Parker, 68, accidentally accelerated her vehicle into the pair as she attempted to park in a handicapped space. Although Samuel sustained minor injuries, Knox was airlifted to a hospital where he later passed away. The article focuses on the heartbreaking impact of this tragic accident on the family and community, emphasizing the support for the Skeltons from the Gainesville Fire Department and public safety officials.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-13,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
On Wednesday at the Limestone Marketplace in Gainesville, Georgia, off-duty firefighter Samuel Skelton was holding his 22-month-old son Knox Skelton when they were struck by a car. Teresa Parker, 68, accidentally accelerated her 2024 Ford Edge over the curb while attempting to park in a handicap space, hitting the father and child. Knox was airlifted to a children’s hospital in Atlanta but succumbed to his injuries later that day, while Samuel sustained minor injuries and did not require medical attention. The incident highlights the tragic consequences of accidents at public locations and underscores the vulnerability of young children even with their caregivers present.
Written for “Toddler Dies In Car Accident” on 2026-10-13,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
A toddler was killed after a driver trying to park slammed into the boy and his firefighter dad at a Georgia shopping center, according to authorities.
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driver → kill → authorities
Off-duty Gainesville firefighter Samuel Skelton was holding his 22-month-old son, Knox Skelton, at the Limestone Marketplace on Wednesday when the deadly crash unfolded, the Gainesville Police Department said in a statement.
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Department → hold → statement
Teresa Parker, 68, was attempting to park a 2024 Ford Edge in a handicap parking space when she “inadvertently accelerated” over the curb, striking the father and tot, police said.
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police → attempt → father
“Samuel was there, holding his 22-month-old son, Knox.
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Samuel → hold → son
Had his back to everything, didn’t even know what was coming, didn’t see what was coming,” Gainesville Police Capt. Kevin Holbrook said, according to Atlanta First News.
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Holbrook → have → News
Knox was airlifted to a children’s hospital in Atlanta, where he succumbed to his injuries, authorities added.
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authorities → airlift → injuries
Samuel suffered minor injuries but did not require medical attention, according to cops.
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Samuel → suffer → cops
The boy was just shy of turning 2 before his tragic death, according to a fundraiser for Samuel and his wife, Kiana Skelton.
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boy → turn → Samuel
“Sammy and Kiana Skelton recently experienced a heart-wrenching loss when their beloved son, Knox, who was just shy of his second birthday, passed away in a tragic accident,” said the fundraiser.
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fundraiser → experience → accident
The toddler always traveled with his monster trucks, loved going to the park, and “swinging on the swings on his daddy’s off days,” according to a heartbreaking obituary.
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toddler → travel → obituary
“He ran the fire station like he owned the place and loved driving the fire truck just like his daddy.
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he → run → daddy
He preferred cookies and snacks over eating an actual meal,” the obituary continued.
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obituary → prefer → meal
In a statement, the Gainesville Fire Department encouraged the public to keep the devastated couple in their prayers.
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Department → encourage → prayers
“As many of you have heard by now, one of our own and his wife experienced a heartbreaking tragedy yesterday—one that no parent should ever have to endure,” the fire department wrote.
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department → hear → that
“Samuel and Kiana Skelton are two of the most humble, caring, and genuine people you could ever meet.
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you → meet → people
Our department is heartbroken by this tragedy, and we ask that our community surround the Skelton family with love, prayers, and support as they navigate this incredibly difficult time,” the statement continued.
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statement → heartbroken → time
“Members of public safety are often called upon to respond to some of the most heartbreaking and unimaginable situations our communities face.
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communities → call → situations
We train and prepare to handle these difficult moments, but nothing can prepare you for when tragedy strikes one of your own.”
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tragedy → train → own
An investigation into the deadly crash remains ongoing, police said.
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police → remain → crash
Parker remained on the scene and has not been charged.
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Parker → remain → scene
You had an elderly female who did not intentionally do this,” Holbrook said.
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Holbrook → have → this
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