Vehicle accidents involving alcohol are a problem in the state of Alabama and no amount of legislation can replace sound diver judgement or awareness in curbing this growing trend, Alabama attorney Keith T. Belt says.

Students and faculty at Wetumpka Elementary School are mourning the loss of one of their own after a child was struck and killed by a vehicle. According to an Elmore County School District spokesperson, 5-year-old kindergartner Ethan Marshall Woods was struck by a 1995 Ford Explorer while he was waiting for the bus to school Tuesday morning. The accident happened at approximately 6:30 a.m. on Titus Road at the intersection of Thornton Road and Police say although other children were at the bus stop at the time of the accident, none of the other students were injured.

According to a report released by Alabama State Troopers, a number of circumstances led up to the death of 5-year-old Ethan Woods on Tuesday, January 12. The report indicates 51-year-old Brad Scholder was traveling South on Elmore County Road 29 at the intersection on Thornton Road around 6:30 that morning. Due to the early hour, and the weather that morning, conditions were listed in the report as “dark and rainy.” As Scholder’s 1995 Ford Explorer approached the intersection, something entered the road right in front of his vehicle. Scholder told authorities that it happened so quickly that he thought a deer or a dog ran out in front of him. He attempted to brake and swerve, but it was too late. Scholder’s SUV collided with the young boy.

Ethan’s 10-year-old sibling who witnessed the accident told authorities that prior to the wreck, Ethan had been playing by the side of the road opposite from the bus stop. He had been waiting for the last minute to catch his bus. The sibling stated that she told Ethan to wait, but he didn’t listen and darted into oncoming traffic, directly into the path of Scholder’s vehicle.

Troopers noted at the scene that Scholder smelled like alcohol and admitted to drinking the night before, however, the trooper noted on the report that he did not believe alcohol was a factor in the accident. A blood sample was obtained from Scholder and was sent to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for analysis. The blood sample is standard procedure in crashes involving serious injury or death. Once the toxicology report and the facts of the case are complete, the case will be reviewed by the Elmore County District Attorney and the Elmore County Grand Jury.

Additional information: WSFA 12 News

About Belt Law Firm, P.C.

Belt Law Firm, P.C., is an Alabama personal injury law firm that represents the victims of dangerous and defective products throughout the communities of Birmingham, Bessemer, Cullman, Tuscaloosa, Jasper, Homewood, Jefferson County, Shelby County, Walker County, Blount County and Saint Clair County. Although the firm’s focus is on regional litigation in Alabama, the firm’s attorneys have also represented clients in Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado and Delaware. To learn more, call the firm toll-free at (888) 933-1514 or use its online form.