Updated: November 26, 2025 — Englewood, FL A serious pedestrian crash in a Walmart parking lot left a 3-year-old child critically injured Tuesday evening. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the crash occurred around 8:25 p.m. on November 25, 2025, at 2931 South McCall Road in Charlotte County.

Troopers report that Vehicle 1, a 2018 Jeep driven by a 27-year-old Englewood woman, was parked facing west in a parking space within the Walmart lot.

Next to that Jeep, the child was standing beside his family’s parked vehicle while his mother was in the process of placing an infant sibling inside the vehicle.

At one point, the child walked in front of the Jeep and remained stationary.

The Jeep then moved forward and turned right, and the front of the vehicle collided with the child, according to the FHP release.

Emergency Response and Injury Status

The child sustained critical injuries and was flown by medical helicopter to Tampa General Hospital for emergency treatment. The driver of the Jeep was not injured.

The Florida Highway Patrol states that the crash remains under investigation.

Editor’s note: All factual information in this article is sourced directly from the official Florida Highway Patrol press release. Minor clarifications were made solely for readability while preserving the report’s substance.

Parking Lot Pedestrian Crashes Present Unique Risks for Children

Even at low speeds, vehicles in parking lots can pose significant risks — especially for small children, who may not be visible to drivers preparing to move their vehicles.

Parking lots can become hazardous due to factors such as:

• Children’s small height, making them difficult to see from a driver’s seated position
• High foot traffic, particularly near store entrances and loading areas
• Frequent vehicle movements, including vehicles pulling out or turning
• Evening lighting, which can create shadows or blind spots

Because vehicle and pedestrian movement often occurs in close proximity, added caution is essential for both drivers and families.

How Drivers Can Promote Safety in Busy Parking Lots

Drivers can help reduce risks in commercial lots by adopting simple safety habits:

• Look around the vehicle before moving
• Drive slowly and assume pedestrians may appear from between vehicles
• Avoid distractions, even when traveling only a short distance
• Use headlights in the evening or at dusk
• Make gradual, controlled movements when turning or pulling forward

These steps can help prevent collisions in areas where drivers and pedestrians often cross paths.

Guidance for Parents and Caregivers in Parking Lots

Parents can also take general steps to help protect young children in parking lots:

• Keep children close and within arm’s reach
• Avoid allowing children to walk in front of or behind vehicles unless an adult is guiding them
• Position children on the sidewalk side of a parked vehicle when possible
• Teach children to stay near an adult while loading or unloading a vehicle

Because parking lots are dynamic, unpredictable environments, staying close to children is especially important.

Understanding Civil Considerations When a Child Is Injured

In some parking lot crashes involving injuries to minors, families may face complex medical, insurance, and financial questions.

Under Florida law:

• A civil claim is separate from any criminal or traffic investigation
• Auto insurance typically does apply in parking lot collisions
• Claims may involve:
  • Medical treatment and transport
  • Ongoing care needs
  • Long-term medical planning
  • Emotional and financial impacts on the family
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) may apply in certain circumstances

Cases involving injuries to children often require careful documentation and long-term planning to support the child’s needs.

General Legal Insight From Attorney Bernie Walsh

“In some pedestrian crashes in parking lots, families are left with urgent medical concerns and questions about what steps to take next,” said Attorney Bernie Walsh, senior partner at Goldman Babboni Fernandez Murphy & Walsh. “These situations require compassion and a clear understanding of how insurance and liability may apply, even when a collision occurs at low speeds.”

With over 150 years of combined legal experience and more than $500 million recovered for Florida injury victims, our firm has assisted families throughout Charlotte County, Englewood, and the greater Suncoast in navigating complex injury claims. Every case is handled by a senior partner, backed by a legal team with a 4.9★ Google rating and 10/10 Avvo score.

Local Law Firm Helping Families After Serious Injuries to Children

At Goldman Babboni Fernandez Murphy & Walsh, we live here, work here, and fight here — because protecting families in our community is personal to us.

If your child has been injured due to a driver’s negligence, our legal team can help you understand your rights, protect your child’s future, and hold those responsible accountable.

Call (941) 954-1234 for a free and confidential consultation.

Locality tags: Englewood • Charlotte County • South McCall Road • Walmart