THOMASVILLE — The man authorities said backed over a child at a Thomasville residence Sunday has not been charged.

Sgt. First Class John VanLandingham, Thomasville Post 12 Georgia State Patrol commander, was in the area when he was notified at 12:37 p.m. Sunday that a child had been struck by a vehicle. 

“I was the closest trooper,” VanLandingham said.

The commander responded to 128 Augusta Ave., where a 3-year-old boy had been backed over and died.

“It was a fatal impact,” VanLandingham said. “It was instant.”

He said the driver of the Dodge Charger that struck the child lives in Atlanta and was in Thomasville for a family get-together. The driver was related to the boy.

The driver walked to his car to leave, and the boy ran after him, VanLandingham said, adding that the man took the child back inside the house.

” ‘I didn’t see anybody behind me and backed out,’ ” VanLandingham said the man told him.

The driver told the trooper he felt the impact as he backed out.

“It was a fatal impact. It was instant,” VanLandingham said.

The death occurred in the back yard where other vehicles belonging to those attending the family event were parked.

VanLandingham said the driver told him he backed up about 15 feet, felt the impact, drove forward, got out of the car and saw the boy.

The boy and his mother lived at the residence, VanLandingham said.

“Right now, there are no charges pending,” the commander said. 

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820