3-Year-Old Suffers Broken Collarbone After Being Struck During Wadsworth’s Blue Tip Parade

A 3-year-old child suffered a broken collarbone after being struck by a small electric stunt vehicle during Wadsworth’s Blue Tip Parade.

Police say the crash happened around 6:40 p.m. June 23 on Broad Street near Auble Street. The modified ride-on minicar left the roadway after its operator lost control while performing a stunt and hit the child, who was watching from a nearby lawn.

The child was taken to Akron Children’s Hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening. The child’s family later confirmed the broken collarbone.

The incident is raising questions about the safety features on the electric vehicle, including whether it had (or should have had) an automatic shutoff similar to those used on lawn mowers and other powered equipment. Police have not said whether the vehicle had such a feature.

There was also another safety incident during the parade. Wadsworth Community Radio co-host Tom Stugmyer was bitten by a German shepherd while walking along the route and handing glow sticks directly to children.

Wadsworth parade participants are not permitted to throw candy or other items and instead must hand them directly to spectators. In light of both incidents, organizers may want to reconsider whether requiring participants to move so close to children, pets and crowded lawns creates additional safety concerns.