02.08.2005

Lorry loader kills six year old

A six year old girl died in Lakeland Florida last week after her family’s pick up was hit by an unsecured loader crane on a Lakeland city garbage handling truck.

The loader, which was fitted with a hydraulic grab, swung out as it passed the parked pickup, hitting the back of the cab and smashing it off of the vehicle, severely injuring six year old Lindsay Nicole Caldwell and knocking her mother unconscious.

Lindsey Caldwell died at a Tampa hospital on Friday from the head injuries she sustained in the accident,her mother was not seriously injured.

Lakeland City Manager Doug Thomas said he did not know at this stage if equipment problems were to blame, but has ordered similar city vehicles to be inspected.

The driver, Hiram Cuevas (37), apparently became aware that the crane was not properly secured as he was driving, police reported but it is unclear how long he drove before the crane hit the pickup.

The police cited Cuevas for careless driving, but the case is now being investigated as a traffic homicide, following the death, which could mean additional charges.